New build development of the year – North and Scotland

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Tillydrone represents a benchmark in socially sustainable, low-carbon, future-ready housing. From the outset, the project adopted a holistic design approach focused on occupant health, comfort and long-term adaptability. This led to measurable benefits such as reduced heating bills, lower water usage and flexible homes that allow residents to age in place comfortably.

All homes benefit from clean, filtered air, strong acoustic separation, and private outdoor spaces – balconies or gardens – that ensure connection with the natural environment regardless of mobility. Careful building orientation optimised solar gain and views, created active shared spaces, and enhanced energy efficiency. Every home features dual or triple aspect design, dementia-friendly layouts and visual access to outdoor spaces, supporting well-being and minimising energy use. Tillydrone’s fragmented building layout promotes a strong sense of community, with smaller clusters of apartments creating cohesion and maximising solar benefit. Extensive stakeholder engagement ensured that residents’ needs were at the heart of the design process throughout.

Tillydrone ultimately represents a deliverable, affordable housing model that could be applied to all tenures and all contexts.

The judges said:

“A holistic approach to housing provision with full consideration of residents’ current and future needs. Design has been shaped by comprehensive consultation with a wide range of stakeholders”