British architecture studio Al-Jawad Pike has won this year's Neave Brown Award for Housing for Chowdury Walk, a council housing development in Hackney, London.
Comprised of 11 terraced houses, seven of which are available for social rent, the development was built between two existing terraces on a plot that previously used as garages.
The houses, which sit on granite plinths and were constructed from cross-laminated timber, have a staggered design to create more privacy for residents and aid passive solar gain.
Chowdhury Walk was built on a plot that previously held garages
The Neave Brown Award for Housing is given in honour of Neave Brown, a modernist architect who was a pioneer in social housing, and recognises the best new affordable housing in the UK. This year's jury applauded Chowdhury Walk's attention to detail, calling the development by Al-Jawad Pike "uplifting".
"Chowdhury Walk is part of Hackney Council?s programme to build new council homes on small sites, providing eleven two-storey terraced houses on a former garage site," said Astrid Smitham, jury chair and 2023 Neave Brown Award for Housing winner.
"Creative solutions can produce social housing that offers moments of joy" architect Jessam Al-Jawad said
"A new public mews provides both informal space to play and a well-used new public route. The homes feel uplifting upon entering, with the simple intuitive floor plan making efficient use of space while supporting the busy...