The national standard for well-designed homes and neighbourhoods.
Case studies
Read more about award-winning schemes and the best of international housing design. See who won Building for Life Awards in 2009.
2007 Winners
Allerton Bywater (Area 3B)
Castleford, West Yorkshire
This innovative housing scheme is a small part of a much larger regeneration project and is at the south eastern corner of the Allerton Bywater Millennium Village which is being developed on the reclaimed site of a former colliery.
Empire Square
Borough, London
An inner city warehouse site near Borough High Street has been transformed into a triangular mixed use block designed by award-winning architects Rolfe Judd and comprising three buildings which enclose a new public garden with a dramatically sculpted pavilion.
Great Bow Yard
Langport, Somerset
Great Bow Yard is an exemplary sustainable development of 12 homes, described by the Building for Life judges as "a healthy place with healthy materials".
The Manor
Lower Earley, Reading
Described by Building for Life judges as 'a local quality benchmark', The Manor housing development combines distinctive architectural character with rich landscaping. Designed by John Thomson and Partners.
The Russells
Broadway, Worcestershire
Praised by the Building for Life judges as "a great piece of urbanism ... real town building", The Russells is a development respectful of its Cotswolds setting, with great character and a superb new public square.
The Village, St Austell
Cornwall
Part of the St Austell regeneration programme, homes in The Village have been carefully designed to complement the local neighbourhood character. Designed by Alan Leather Associates and David Lock Associates.
Upton (Phase 1, Site A)
Northampton
The design code for Upton guides the overall character of the community but allows flexibility when it comes to designing buildings for this high-volume housing development. Designed by KRT Associates.
Visage and Swiss Cottage Cultural Centre
London
The Visage development in Swiss Cottage combines a luxury apartment block with affordable housing and high-quality leisure facilities for use by the wider community. Designed by Terry Farrell & Partners.
Waterstone Park
Greenhithe, Kent
This elegant, contemporary Kent Thameside scheme was described by the Building for Life judges as "very brave and bold, a really interesting out-of-town development."
