Chaired by Julia Barfield, the 2019 RIBA Stirling Prize judges have appointed Goldsmith Street by Mikhail Riches with Cathy Hawley as the best new building in UK. “Goldsmith Street is a modest masterpiece,” Barfield stated. “This is proper social housing, over ten years in the making, delivered by an ambitious and thoughtful council. These desirable, spacious, low-energy properties should be the norm for all council housing.”
As explained by the RIBA announcement, the project is made up of almost 100 highly energy-efficient homes. The houses are two to three storey high, each with their own front door, generous entrance space and a private balcony. The back gardens of the central terraces share a secure alleyway for children to play together, and a wide landscaped walkway for the community runs directly through the middle of the estate.
- Project:
- Goldsmith Street
- Program:
- social housing
- Architects:
- Mikhail Riches with Cathy Hawley
- Contractor:
- RG Carter
- Structural Engineer:
- Rossi Long Consulting
- Environmental / M&E Engineer:
- Greengauge Building Energy Consultants
- Quantity Surveyor / Cost Consultant:
- Hamson Barron Smith
- Project Management:
- MER Construction Services
- Landscape Architect:
- BBUK
- Certified Passivhaus Designer:
- WARM
- Clerk of Works:
- Enhabit (Whole House Energy)
- Internal area:
- 8,056 sqm
- Completion:
- 2019