Architect Mary Duggan had a difficult challenge in south London. The local council wanted to build 80 homes on a steep hill with many trees. Instead of 80 homes, Duggan designed 157 flats for the site, and she kept the trees and green spaces.
The project is called Lion Green Road. The first plan had ordinary rows of houses with car parking. Duggan changed this idea. She designed five brick towers instead. The towers sit among the woodland. Each home has windows on two sides for sunlight and fresh air, and every flat has a balcony with space for plants.
The land between the buildings is open to the public. There are no fences around the site. People can walk on winding paths through gardens and play areas. There are even tiny wooden shelters for insects. Half of the flats are affordable homes rented through the council, and half are private rental homes.
The project has now won the Stirling Prize, a major award for the best new building in the United Kingdom. It is only the second time a council housing project has won the prize. Experts say the project shows that cities can build more homes without losing trees or open green spaces.