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Building success recognised in HAPPI awards

Following the call in last year's All Party Parliamentary Group on Housing and Care for older People inquiry report, 'Housing our Ageing Population: Plan for Implementation', for more inspired specialised housing schemes built to HAPPI criteria, several have been recognised in the Housing Design Awards 2013.

Such was the response this year that two HAPPI prizes were given out at the awards ceremony last week; one for best completed scheme and the other for the best conceptual design.

  • Best completed scheme
    Top honours for the best completed scheme went to Prince Charles House, a 31 unit housing scheme for older people in St Austell. Designed by PRP Architects for Ocean Housing and built by Gilbert & Goode, the scheme offers eco-friendly apartments together with communal facilities for the wider neighbourhood. Click here for more about the winning scheme and the shortlisted applicants.
  • Best conceptual design
    The award for the best conceptual scheme went to Levitt Bernstein for their proposed scheme Buccleuch House. 107 mixed tenure apartments will be delivered through partners, Hanover, Hill Residential, Agudas Israel Housing Association (AIHA) and supported by Hackney Council. It is due for completion at the end of 2014. Click here for more on this project and shortlisted applications

Commenting on the awards, Jeremy Porteus, Director of the Housing LIN and co-author of the All Party Parliamentary Group's report said: "I was very impressed with the quality of the applications this year. The sector has certainly raised its game and recognised that well designed homes built to HAPPI criteria are very desirable for older people. However, we need to move beyond HAPPI being the sector's 'best kept secret' and ensure that there is also a stronger consumer voice that demands attractive housing that best meets their lifestyle choices along with any future care needs."

For more about HAPPI and designing housing for an ageing population, visit our 'Design Hub' pages under the link below