Clarion Housing Group, the UK’s largest provider of affordable housing, has revealed the winners of the
fifth William Sutton Prize at an awards ceremony which took place on 23 November.
From a shortlist of six proposals, concepts put forward by Bell Phillips Architects and Building with
Nature were named the winners.
Both will receive a share of The William Sutton Prize’s £75,000 pot to turn their ideas into reality, with the
funding provided by Clarion Futures, the charitable foundation of Clarion Housing Group. Winners will
also receive a tailored package of business support from Clarion as part of a 12-18 month programme
that will complement the funding received.
Bell Phillips Architects’ winning proposal imagines a pathway to net zero through the development of a
new ‘vernacular architecture’ for all buildings below 11m using natural building materials. This will reduce
embodied carbon in construction, encourage the increased production of timber and natural building
products, and contribute to reforestation.
Building with Nature provides planners and developers with guidance on delivering high quality green
infrastructure. Their proposal is for a framework with clear standards and guidance to better deliver the
environmental, social, and economic benefits from the introduction of biodiversity and green spaces
across communities. Their aim is to create a set of comprehensive and standardised practices which
demonstrate ‘what good looks like’ when it comes to managing and maintaining communities for the
benefit of people and nature into the long term.
In its fifth year, the Prize shifted its focus to identify and recognise ideas that will help improve the carbon
footprint of the social housing sector and accelerate the sector’s transition to net zero in a just and fair
way.
The William Sutton Prize was developed by Clarion Housing Group to celebrate the legacy of its founder,
William Sutton, as a 19th century innovator and philanthropist who bequeathed his fortune to improve the quality of social housing.
Clare Miller, Chief Executive of Clarion Housing Group, said:
“The William Sutton Prize has supported many amazing projects over the past five years, advancing
social good in the affordable housing sector.
“The world needs to accelerate progress towards net zero but it’s a challenge that can’t be overcome
without collaboration and innovation, and that’s exactly what our two winners have demonstrated. We’re
excited to be working with Bell Phillips and Building with Nature to help them bring their ideas to life and
make a difference to our residents and communities.”
Tim Bell, Director of Bell Phillips Architects, said:
“Nobody has all the answers on their own. Collaborating with like-minded people at Clarion will help us
develop our ideas and put them into practice, and we’re so excited to be named one of this year’s
William Sutton Prize winners.”
Dr Gemma Jerome, Director of Building with Nature, said:
“Winning The William Sutton Prize is a huge honour and it means everything. Working with Clarion to
bring this idea to life will make such a difference, helping to create green spaces where people can live
and flourish for years to come.”
To find out more about The William Sutton Prize visit www.clarionhg.com/william-sutton-prize