Clarion reveals shortlist for 2025 William Sutton Prize

Five projects have been shortlisted for the connected community prize, developed in partnership with the Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design at the Royal College of Art.

These include an AI-powered digital ‘super-neighbour’ to bring communities together by Neighbourly Lab and Neya; a new outdoor gym in Bromley built from knives removed from the streets by Steel Warriors; and a programme that empowers under-represented social housing residents aged 14-16 to become environmental innovators and future STEM leaders by Motivez.

Winners will be able to take home a share of £125,000 in funding, with shortlisted applicants bidding for a grant of up to £50,000 for the sustainability category and up to £25,000 for the connected communities category.

In addition to funding, the winners will receive a package of business support and the chance to collaborate with Clarion and other experts to turn their ideas into reality.

The William Sutton Prize aims to turn “groundbreaking concepts into real-world solutions” that make lasting improvements to the built environment and local communities.

Clare Miller, chief executive of Clarion Housing Group, said: “The William Sutton Prize not only unlocks funding – it unlocks potential. It’s about backing the thinkers, the doers and the dreamers who are shaping homes, places and lives for generations to come, and it’s inspiring to see such cutting-edge, creative thinking reflected in this year’s shortlist.”

Past William Sutton Prize winners include architecture practices Bell Phillips Architects, Mole Architects and Jas Bhalla Works, as well as social enterprises and charities such as the Hackney School of Food and Pride of Place Living.  

This year, a new William Sutton Prize scholarship programme has also been launched. It will be delivered in partnership with the London Neighbourhood Scholarship Trust and financial education specialists Blackbullion.

The initiative aims to increase diversity in architecture and sustainability, providing funding to support students from low-income households and social housing backgrounds through their degree courses.

Winners and scholars will be announced at an awards ceremony on 25 September.