The £25.1 million complex for the over-65s, which also picked up the Neave Brown award for social housing, was described by the Stirling Prize judges as ‘a provision of pure delight’ and a ‘pioneering model’ for later living, where care and dignity are embedded into the design throughout’.

Here’s what the profession said:

Anna Liu, director, Tonkin Lui Architects
I think it is an excellent winner because the project really exemplifies what we need to be doing in terms of innovation, building on the fantastic ideas of the past and creating something fit for the future.

Architecture isn’t just about style; that’s not the point. The point is creating spaces that engage with people, and that discussion is often lost in talking only about the style of a building.

Tarek Merlin, co-founder and director, Feix&Merlin
Huge congratulations to Witherford Watson Mann on their Stirling Prize win for Appleby Blue Almshouse. It’s an inspiring project that demonstrates how architecture can address ageing and loneliness with care and dignity, and do so at the very highest level of design recognition.

‘It shows there’s a real appetite for housing that brings generations together’

For me, this is especially exciting in the context of the multigenerational and queer co-housing ideas I’ve been exploring. It shows there’s a real appetite, and now a Stirling Prize precedent, for housing that brings generations together. Congratulations again to the architects, project team and visionary client United St Saviour’s Charity on this phenomenal win, hopefully the first of many projects of this kind to follow

Stephen Hodder, founding director, Hodder Associates (Stirling Prize winner 1996)
Chairing the Stirling Prize jury in 2013, when we awarded it to Witherford Watson Mann for Astley Castle, we recognised that they had delivered a beautifully crafted, inventive building, an architecture of humanism, for an enlightened client. Appleby Blue has all of these qualities in abundance. Congratulations to Stephen and the team

Annalie Riches, co-founder and director, Mikhail Riches (Stirling Prize winner 2019)
I am delighted, it’s so nice that the jury recognised a project that is both beautiful and changes people’s lives. It’s not just about what the building looks like; it’s what it does for people.

Angela Brady, co-founder and director, Brady Mallalieu Architects, former RIBA president
Congratulations to WWM architects on winning the Stirling prize. Not only is the architecture of merit, but also the way in which their project is planned with a people-first approach.

The community can gather together easily in shared social spaces, which prevents isolation or loneliness, creating a feeling of being at home, rather than in an old standard residential care home. Residents have a large courtyard garden to enjoy and be in touch with nature.

‘This  project recognises the needs and talents of older generations’

The new almshouse has direct contact with urban life, which is crucial for connection. This project recognises the needs and talents of older generations, which gives them a brighter future, where there is a real community who look out for each other in a homely environment.

With our ageing population, we all need more clients like United St Saviour, which has a renewed vision for independent collective living, for housing older residents within their local community, where the whole community gains from its inclusion.

Ben Derbyshire, chair at HTA Design, former RIBA president
By common consent, this year’s Stirling Prize shortlist felt oddly unbalanced, but there was no mistaking the runaway winner. Appleby Blue left the competition standing. Housing is a national preoccupation, and if the jury hoped everyone would get behind this choice, they were right.

It has everything: diversity, biodiversity, urbanity and a sense of wellbeing, serendipitously echoed in a name which evokes a delicious craft cheese! Twelve years of collaboration in the making, it’s no wonder the project also picked up Client of the Year and the Neave Brown Award. There’s absolutely nothing not to like.

‘This was indeed the year of social architecture’

A shout out too for the lovely little building at St Mary’s Walthamstow by Matthew Lloyd Architects, winner of the Stephen Lawrence Prize. This was indeed the year of social architecture.

Neil Deely, co-founder and partner, Metropolitan Workshop
Applebly Blue is a very, very worthy winner. But then again, all of the shortlisted projects are worthy winners.

Does it feel like the Stirling Prize is back? Well, the Stirling Price has always been back. I don’t think it’s ever gone away, but every year it brings some different questions for us, and this year it sent out a very good message that social housing is incredibly important. We should be focused on it.

2025 RIBA Stirling Prize winner: Appleby Blue Almshouse by Witherford Watson Mann Architects. Photo: Philip Vile

Sam Goss, founding director, Barefoot Architects
There was no better project to lose out to than Appleby Blue! It represents housing of hope, community and care in a time when we need those things more than ever. To have scooped three prizes shows what a standout project it is. Congratulations to the entire project team and client.

Matt Williams, director at Lavigne Lonsdale, part of the regional jury that visited Appleby Blue
Visiting Appleby Blue Almshouses gave me goosebumps.

There’s such honesty in the materials and a quiet confidence in how it’s made. Nothing flashy, just real care in every detail. With the residents around you, it’s clear how nature, light and texture support wellbeing in subtle but powerful ways. The residents aren’t just housed; they’re living – supported, comfortable and with a real sense of pride in their home.

Seeing this project, I found myself thinking of my own family members in their later years. It’s a reminder to us all that architecture isn’t just about form or awards; it’s about shaping real lives, giving people dignity, space to grow and a sense of belonging.

Vinesh Pomal, senior lecturer and architect, Leicester School of Architecture, De Montfort University
What a delight to hear that an older person’s housing scheme has won the Stirling Prize! Appleby Blue is a social catalyst that restitches the urban fabric in a sensitive manner, putting older people as part of the wider community, whether that’s visually or physically, through engaging with the street or the courtyard.

‘Appleby Blue is a social catalyst’

The building is an exceptional example of how it challenges the ‘norm’ in older people’s housing; from its contextual response, impeccable courtyard design, through to its active frontages that truly engage with its three edge conditions. It is very clear from the design that the end-users have been kept in mind throughout the whole process, something that should not be overseen but at times is forgotten among all the project constraints.

Doug Hodgson, founding director, New-Works
Appleby Blue is a remarkable example of architecture strengthening neighbourhood, a bustling active community we have come to know well over these past 18 months since our new studio is a short five-minute walk from Appleby Blue and The Blue Market.

Witherford Watson Mann has created later-living homes that feel embedded rather than isolated – encouraging residents to connect with each other and the wider community, through the extensive use of timber-framed glazed galleries and windows, and the allotment-style rooftop planting.

‘This project shows the value that architects and architecture can bring’

The scheme demonstrates how dignified, community-focused housing for older residents can support active later life, free up family housing and enrich local social life by keeping people in later life central to their community.

Jay Morton, director, Bell Phillips
So pleased to see Appleby Blue win the Stirling Prize. This building is a brilliant example of what exceptional housing design looks like and why we need to invest in it. The care and attention to detailing, the quality of the spaces, the generous social areas and the beautiful light are outstanding.

‘It demonstrates the wider benefits that good design can bring’

It demonstrates the wider benefits that good design, natural high-quality materials and well-considered spaces can bring, from stronger social connections to better health outcomes (residents’ hospital visits have dramatically reduced). I hope politicians take note. This project shows the value that architects and architecture can bring.

Luke Tozer, director and co-founder, Pitman Tozer
Appleby Blue is a powerful example of what genuinely affordable and community-focused housing can achieve when design quality is placed at its heart. It redefines the almshouse for the 21st century, dignified, sustainable and deeply connected to its neighbourhood.

Crucially, it shows the importance of a committed client and long-term vision in delivering homes of this quality and social value. As we celebrate its success, we must also recognise that ensuring viability through stable funding, policy certainty and long-term investment is a key learning from this example and to replicating this achievement across the country.

Residents of Appleby Blue shortly after moving into the new building. Photo: Philipp Ebeling