Mary Duggan of Mary Duggan Architects and RUFFARCHITECTS jointly received the 2026 RIBA Stirling Prize for Lion Green Road, a housing development containing 157 homes in Coulsdon, south London.
The project offers a new approach to how communities might live and develop together.
The award is regarded as the UK’s most prestigious architectural honour and acknowledges schemes that contribute significantly to the built environment.
Lion Green Road was selected for its sensitive response to its surroundings and its emphasis on community life.
Five apartment buildings form the development, with shared green space placed at the centre of the design.
Gardens, allotments, a village green, playgrounds and publicly accessible landscaped areas extend the local environment.
The arrangement departs from conventional street-and-square housing layouts and demonstrates how denser residential development can coexist with its surroundings while supporting communal activity.
Duncan Baker-Brown, principal lecturer and M.Arch course leader at the University of Brighton, described Duggan as an inspiration within the profession.
He said her victory showed that ambitious and well-designed architecture can provide excellent affordable homes where they are urgently needed.
He also noted the significance of Duggan’s success as a woman setting an example for others in architecture.
The achievement carries added importance for the University of Brighton because Duggan is one of its alumni.
She also served until recently as a RIBA External Examiner.