Nansledan Development Honored for Innovative Affordable Housing Design

The Institute of Classical Architecture & Art (ICAA) has awarded Nansledan, a development in Newquay, Cornwall, the 2025 Gindroz Award for Excellence in Affordable Housing. The recognition highlights the project's comprehensive approach to creating a sustainable, mixed-use community that prioritizes affordability, environmental consciousness, and social integration.

Spanning 540 acres, Nansledan represents a visionary urban extension inspired by HM King Charles III's principles of thoughtful community development. The project distinguishes itself by seamlessly integrating affordable housing with market-rate residences, creating a walkable neighborhood that includes homes, shops, offices, schools, restaurants, and recreational spaces.

The Gindroz Award panel, led by Eric Osth, evaluated the development based on design quality, community engagement, social impact, and commitment to inclusive neighborhood planning. Nansledan's approach ensures that affordable housing is indistinguishable from other residential types, promoting social cohesion and eliminating traditional stigmas associated with low-income housing.

Hugh Petter, Design Director at ADAM Architecture and Nansledan's Master Planner, emphasized the project's strategic vision of creating sustainable, livable communities. The development demonstrates how careful master planning, long-term stewardship, and understanding local needs can generate vibrant, economically sustainable neighborhoods with low-carbon lifestyles.

Sam Kirkness from the Duchy of Cornwall noted that the development's affordable homes range from apartments to family houses, strategically distributed throughout the community. This approach ensures that residents have access to high-quality housing regardless of income level, challenging conventional segregation in residential development.

The award carries significant implications for urban planning and affordable housing strategies worldwide. By showcasing a model that successfully integrates diverse housing types within a cohesive, well-designed environment, Nansledan offers a potential blueprint for addressing contemporary housing challenges.

Nansledan will be formally recognized at the Gindroz Symposium on Affordable Housing in New York on November 8th, 2025, where representatives from the King's Foundation, Duchy of Cornwall, and ADAM Architecture will discuss the development's innovative approach.