RIBA stirling prize 2019 awarded to goldsmith street housing project in norwich

‘goldsmith street’, a residential neighborhood of approximately 100 council homes in norwich, england has won the 2019 RIBA stirling prize — the award presented each year to the UK’s ‘best new building’. designed by mikhail riches with cathy hawley, the scheme was selected ahead of projects by grimshaw and rogers stirk harbour + partners on a diverse shortlist. the development follows in the footsteps of last year’s winner — bloomberg’s european headquarters designed by foster + partners.

all images © tim crocker | video courtesy of RIBA

‘goldsmith street is a modest masterpiece,’ said the 2019 RIBA stirling prize judges, chaired by julia barfield. ‘it is high-quality architecture in its purest, most environmentally and socially conscious form. behind restrained creamy façades are impeccably-detailed, highly sustainable homes — an incredible achievement for a development of this scale. 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.’

the project for norwich city council comprises rows of two-storey houses that are bookended by three-storey flats — each with their own front door, generous lobby space, and a private balcony. the back gardens of the central terraces share a secure alleyway for children to play together, while a wide landscaped walkway for the community runs directly through the middle of the estate. prioritizing pedestrian use, parking has been pushed to goldsmith street’s outer edges. the project has been designed to minimize fuel bills for residents with annual energy costs estimated to be 70 percent cheaper than for the average household.

see the other shortlisted projects for the 2019 RIBA stirling prize here.

project info:

name: goldsmith street
location: norwich, UK
architect: 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