The Institute of Classical Architecture & Art (ICAA) has selected Nansledan, a comprehensive urban development in Newquay, Cornwall, as the recipient of its 2025 Gindroz Award for Excellence in Affordable Housing. The award recognizes the project's exceptional approach to creating a mixed-use, sustainable community that prioritizes affordable housing and social integration.
Spanning 540 acres, Nansledan is an extension of Newquay inspired by HM King Charles III's vision for urban development. The project integrates homes, shops, offices, schools, restaurants, and recreational spaces in a walkable, interconnected design. Its unique approach includes affordable housing seamlessly blended throughout the development, ensuring indistinguishable quality across different housing types.
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. The development demonstrates how strategic master planning and understanding local needs can create vibrant, sustainable communities.
Hugh Petter, Design Director at ADAM Architecture, emphasized the project's significance in addressing contemporary housing challenges. By creating integrated, sustainable places that support healthy lifestyles, Nansledan offers a potential model for addressing housing issues globally.
The award highlights the importance of traditional urban design principles in solving modern housing challenges. By prioritizing affordability, sustainability, and community integration, Nansledan represents an innovative approach to urban development that could inspire similar projects internationally.
