Almost two years ago in London, Apparata’s prescription for the future of social housing was unveiled in Barking. Last night in Manchester, it was officially recognised on the global architecture stage at RIBA’s annual awards, winning the Neave Brown Award for the UK’s best affordable housing project.
“I am delighted that ‘A House for Artists’ has won the Neave Brown Award. This landmark mayoral project showcases how innovative design can help us tackle London’s challenges, including delivering more genuinely affordable housing, promoting our creative industries and providing the social and community infrastructure that Londoners need – helping to build a better, fairer, more prosperous London for everyone.”
– Sadiq Khan, Mayor for London
Providing flexible living and working space across 12 homes, A House for Artists presents a pioneering blueprint for a new approach to affordable housing – a now-proven template for high-standard, cost-effective, climate-resilient , and community-led accommodation. At a time when the UK is potentially on the verge of addressing its long-neglected housing situation, A House for Artists provides an ambitious but achievable model for a new and better way of building social homes.

Co-commissioned by the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham and Create London with the Great London Authority, the robust, practical and playful House For Artists has already been recognised with the RIBA London Award, RIBA London Client of the Year Award and a RIBA National Award. The addition of the Neave Brown Award to its roster of accolades – as well as its nominations for the Stephen Lawrence Prize and the Stirling Prize itself – underlines the resonance and timeliness of Apparata’s unique vision.
“Huge congratulations to Apparata for their 2023 Neave Brown Award win and Stirling nomination. ‘A House for Artists’ marks the third collaboration between Apparata and Create London. We are so pleased – but not surprised – that the outstanding design ingenuity of Apparata, their pragmatism and unwavering commitment to resolve urgent civic and cultural challenges are being recognised. Awarding the Neave Brown to an emerging practice shows immense hope for the future of British architecture. We know that great things lie ahead for Apparata while both the artist residents and the community of Barking & Dagenham will benefit from this unique project for decades to come.”
– Marie Bak Mortensen, Create London
A House for Community
A House For Artists incorporates 12 apartments across five floors, with a glass-walled community hall and outdoor exhibition space at street level. Long-term leases are set one-third below market rate, in return for residents participating in community-focused creative programming, such as art classes and events.