Housing Design Awards 2025 Shortlist 10.04.25

The redevelopment of the former London Chest Hospital site in Bethnal Green into a successful community of 274 new homes has been shortlisted for a 2025 Housing Design Award in the unbuilt category alongside Urbanest Battersea, a highly sustainable PassivHaus development providing modern accommodation for 852 students opposite the new Battersea Power Station development, which is shortlisted in the built category.

Developed for Latimer, the development arm of Clarion Housing Group, the refurbishment will include the Grade II listed main hospital building, the Sanitary Tower, and the South Wing, which are all currently on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register. In addition, five new buildings ranging from five to nine storeys will be constructed, providing carefully designed new housing of which 50% will be affordable housing (by habitable home), with a significant proportion (70%) allocated for Social Rent. The Hospital’s historic grounds will be opened to the public for the first time in nearly a decade with 1,140 square metres of open space, and the veteran Mulberry tree on site, which is reputed to be the oldest tree in the East End, will remain in its original location, aligning with community and environmental priorities.

Led by private student accommodation provides Urbanest, Urbanest Battersea comprises of three student buildings and a dedicated commercial building and is the first major PassivHaus student housing development in London. The buildings, ranging in height from 11 to 19 storeys, step in height and twist to open to key views with a unifying base around courtyard gardens, creating a varied silhouette. Bold colours and glazed terracotta facades draw on the industrial heritage of the site and provide a strong marker within the neighbourhood. Significant improvements to the surrounding public realm and an improved connection and accessibility to Battersea Park will draw people into the site, becoming a catalyst for the regeneration of the wider area.

Assessment will take place over the next few months, with judges visiting each built shortlisted project before the announcement of the winners at the annual awards ceremony in early autumn.