Six award-winning urban projects

From riverside landmarks to regenerative streetscapes, these six award-winning projects showcase how material selection, landscape design, and innovative facade systems can transform urban environments.

1. One Tower Bridge, London

A flagship mixed-use development on the Thames, One Tower Bridge demonstrates how traditional materials can ground a contemporary scheme within its historic setting.

• Material highlight: Smeed Dean London Stock bricks
• Scale: Over 500,000 bricks sourced from the same kiln zone for uniformity
• Key takeaway: Tight batch control and process precision deliver premium facade outcomes on high-profile urban projects.

Read more details on this iconic Tower Bridge project:

2. Darbishire Place, London

Set among 1870s Peabody housing blocks, Darbishire Place respects its historic context while providing modern apartments.

• Design language: White-painted reveals, rhythmic window patterns
• Architectural approach: Contemporary deference to heritage
• Recognition: Won Best Housing Design Award, Brick Development Association Awards 2015. 

This project is a masterclass in blending modern residential architecture with historic neighbourhood fabric, see more details below:

3. Longley Place, Brighton

Built on a former warehouse brownfield site, Longley Place integrates public art seamlessly into its architecture.

• Design challenge: Balancing creativity with time and cost constraints
• Material highlight: 80,000 bespoke glazed bricks in 20 colour variations
• Result: A vibrant facade where art and architecture coexist effortlessly. 

Read more on this project that created a vibrant community: 

4. The Loom & From Here, Dublin

These two student housing developments deliver a contemporary street presence through nuanced brick colour mixing.

• Materials used: Con Mosso, Platinum White (discontinued), and Marziale bricks
• Urban design focus: Creating visual contrast while respecting planning constraints
• Lesson for architects: Colour diversity can shape identity in dense urban settings.

Read more on how the developers rose to the design challenges to create this strikingly modern facade: 

5. Weavers Quay & Flour Building, Manchester

Part of the Manchester Life Master Plan, these PRS developments showcase how facade systems can achieve speed, safety, and aesthetic quality at scale.

• Facade solution: Corium brick tile cladding (A1 fire-rated) within a BBA-certified system
• Key takeaway: Large-scale residential schemes benefit from high-performance facade systems that deliver both compliance and creative freedom.

See how our brick tile cladding gave these urban redevelopment projects their unique visual:

6. South Gardens, Elephant Park, London

The first residential phase of the Elephant Park regeneration, South Gardens is a celebrated example of landscape-led masterplanning.

• Awards: Winner of the Landscape Institute President's Award
• Design approach: Courtyards, edible landscapes, and accessible walkways foster community and movement
• Material highlight: Clay pavers create a unifying matrix that connects residents to outdoor spaces.

Which paving products were used to create the beautifully landscaped courtyards? Find out below:

Key takeaways for architects:

Across these six award-winning urban projects, three themes emerge:

1. Contextual materiality: Use materials such as London Stock Bricks where heritage matters
2. High-performance facade systems: Ensure safety, speed, and design flexibility on large developments
3. Landscape-led masterplanning: Treat outdoor spaces as social infrastructure to strengthen community.