The Institute of Classical Architecture & Art (ICAA) has selected Nansledan, a 540-acre development in Cornwall, England, as the recipient of the 2025 Gindroz Award for Excellence in Affordable Housing. The award recognizes the project's commitment to creating a sustainable, mixed-use community that seamlessly integrates affordable housing with high-quality urban design.
Located on Cornwall's north coast, Nansledan represents an innovative approach to urban development inspired by HM King Charles III's vision for thoughtful community planning. The project demonstrates how strategic master planning and local context can produce vibrant, economically sustainable neighborhoods that address critical housing challenges.
The development features a comprehensive mix of residential, commercial, and community spaces, including homes, shops, offices, schools, and recreational areas. Critically, the affordable housing components are designed to be indistinguishable from market-rate residences, ensuring social integration and architectural consistency.
The Gindroz Award panel, chaired by Eric Osth, evaluated the project based on design excellence, community engagement, social impact, and commitment to creating inclusive neighborhoods. Nansledan's approach of distributing affordable housing throughout the development, rather than segregating it, was particularly noteworthy.
Hugh Petter, Design Director at ADAM Architecture and Master Planner for Nansledan, emphasized the project's holistic approach. The development aims to create environments where residents can live healthy, sustainable lifestyles while maintaining architectural beauty and local identity.
The recognition highlights a growing movement toward reimagining affordable housing as a catalyst for community development. By prioritizing design quality, environmental sustainability, and social integration, Nansledan offers a potential model for addressing housing challenges in the United Kingdom and potentially worldwide.
The Gindroz Award will be formally presented at the Symposium on Affordable Housing in New York City on November 8th, 2025, where representatives from the Duchy of Cornwall and other stakeholders will discuss the project's innovative strategies.
