Triple win for Crofts Street at RSAW Awards

The Royal Society of Architects in Wales (RSAW) honors Crofts Street with three awards at the 2023 Welsh Architecture Awards ceremony: Regional Award, Sustainability Award, and Client of the Year. The RSAW serves as the representative body for the architectural profession in Wales and promotes the value of good design through its award programs in partnership with RIBA.

Crofts Street, located in the Plasnewydd area of Cardiff, is a modular housing project consisting of nine two-bedroom townhouses for council rent. 

Reviewing the award win in the latest edition of the RIBA Journal, the judges highlighted the sustainability and energy performance credentials of the homes, designed to be carbon positive in operation, as a design solution for the future of housing and domestic energy savings, achieving an impressive EPC rating of A. 

Furthermore, recognizing the benefits of the MMC-delivered scheme to the existing neighbourhood during and after construction, the judges said: 
“Beyond its clever procurement and delivery strategy, Crofts Street is an elegant row of terraced houses that uplifts the neighbouring homes and streets. It is an important precedent for successful partnering, speed of assembly, comfort of living and positive contributions to the urban realm – all the criteria that our homes for the future demand.” RIBA Journal

During a visit to one of the homes, the judges were impressed by the generous spaces and contemporary living features:
“At ground floor, accessibility has been considered with a generous level-access bathroom located off the entrance hall. On the first floor, an equally generous bathroom contains a walk-in shower and freestanding bath, in a wet-room environment not typically found in council homes.”, RIBA Journal.

Congratulations to everyone involved in making Crofts Street a shining example of excellence in sustainable housing design and construction.

Crofts Street, Cardiff, led by RSHP and AECOM and delivered by @HOME, uses a ‘fabric first’ approach to optimise the performance of each unit against weather conditions, fire, and acoustics. This system reduces operational energy consumption, which can lead to major cost savings on utility bills for residents.