Agar Grove Phase 1C – one year post‑occupancy review
Lion Green Road
Lion Green Road is an award-winning landscape-led residential development in the London Borough of Croydon, delivering 157 new homes across five sculpted pavilion buildings set within a richly planted parkland setting.
Key information
Architect
Mary Duggan Architects and Ruff Architects
Client
Brick by Brick
Value
£46M
Year of Completion
2018
Location
CroydonSector
Services
Challenge
The scheme responds to a challenging sloping site while creating a distinctive new neighbourhood that combines higher-density housing with generous open space, biodiversity and strong connections to the surrounding landscape. The pavilion arrangement maximises daylight, privacy and views, with homes organised around shared gardens, play spaces and allotments.
We developed the MEP design to Employer's Requirements Stage 3 and undertook sustainability, energy and overheating modelling to support planning, helping shape a scheme that prioritises comfort, resilience and low operational energy use.
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A fabric-first approach combines highly insulated, airtight construction with high-performance glazing and careful detailing of thermal bridges. Materials were chosen for their modularity, thus reducing upfront and embodied carbon.
To address the challenges of a warming climate, glazing ratios, solar gains and shading measures were carefully balanced, with inset balconies and deep window reveals helping to reduce overheating risk while maintaining excellent daylight levels.
A high proportion of dual-aspect homes enables effective cross-ventilation, supported by generous opening windows and summer bypass modes on MVHR systems to provide low-energy cooling.
Large photovoltaic panel rooftop arrays help to supplement the development’s electricity demand. These strategies, together with LED lighting and other passive design measures, create comfortable, low-carbon homes that are efficient to operate and resilient for the future.
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© Rob Parrish
Rob Parrish
© Rob Parrish
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“It’s fantastic to see Lion Green Road recognised on the Stirling Prize shortlist. Congratulations to the client, both architects and the wider project team for creating an exemplary development that demonstrates how great design and environmental performance can work hand in hand.
Through a fabric-first approach, passive environmental design and significant on-site renewable energy generation, the project sets a benchmark for sustainable housing. We’re looking forward to joining the celebrations at the Stirling Prize ceremony in October.”
Neil Smith
BEng EngD CEng FIMechE
Director, MEP Engineering
Partner
Awards highlights
| 2023 | AJ Architecture Award - Housing Project of The Year (£20 million and over) | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | RIBA London Award | Winner |
| 2026 | RIBA National Award | Winner |
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