Taylor Maxwell-Supplied Affordable Housing Scheme Shortlisted For Prestigious RIBA Award
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A Glasgow affordable housing development featuring facing bricks supplied by Taylor Maxwell, one of the UK’s leading providers of brick, façade and timber solutions, has been shortlisted for the 2026 RIBA Neave Brown Award for Housing.
St Andrew’s Drive Phases 2 & 3, designed by jmarchitects for Southside Housing Association, is one of just four developments in contention for the national award, which recognises the UK’s best new affordable housing. The project received a Commendation in the Large Housing Development category at the Brick Awards 2025.
The development replaces outdated 1960s deck-access housing with 120 energy-efficient homes, including apartments, wheelchair-accessible properties and family maisonettes. Buildings are arranged around shared green spaces, natural play areas and sustainable drainage features designed to support community life and residents’ wellbeing. The RIBA jury described the development as “a benchmark for socially conscious housing, combining clarity, innovation and architectural ambition” and praised its “radical commitment to quality and equality”.
Over a 3–4 year period, Taylor Maxwell supported the project from the initial brick specification through to the final supply, providing a palette of facing bricks comprising Forterra Granite Ash and Vandersanden Lindebloem (phase 2 & 3), and Wienerberger Eastfield Grey (phase 1).
The different brick tones give individual buildings a distinct character while creating continuity and harmony across the wider masterplan. Together with precast lintels and string courses, the brickwork provides a contemporary response to the sandstone villas and historic character of the surrounding Pollokshields neighbourhood.
Andy Dickson, Regional Sales Director for the North and Scotland at Taylor Maxwell, said,“St Andrew’s Drive demonstrates that affordable housing can combine social value with genuine architectural quality. The thoughtful use of different brick tones has helped give the buildings their own identity while creating a cohesive development that responds sensitively to its historic surroundings.
“The materials also provide the durability and long-term performance required of homes designed to serve the community for generations. Its inclusion on the RIBA Neave Brown Award shortlist reflects the care and expertise of everyone involved.”
Paul Smith, Architect at jmarchitects added, “Brickwork is central to the architectural identity of St Andrew’s Drive. We wanted the material to respond to the rich masonry character of Pollokshields while giving the new homes a contemporary identity of their own. The warm, tonal palette of clay brick creates a strong sense of continuity across the development, while details including precast lintels, stringer courses and recessed panels add depth, rhythm and craftsmanship to the elevations.
The result is a visually cohesive neighbourhood where the quality and tactility of the brickwork helps the new homes feel established and genuinely at home within their surroundings. This careful approach to materiality is part of the wider ambition for St Andrew’s Drive, which the RIBA has described as ‘a radical commitment to quality and equality’ and ‘a benchmark for socially conscious housing’. The project’s recognition at the 2026 RIAS Awards and its shortlist for the RIBA Neave Brown Award is a testament to the collaborative effort of the entire project team and the shared commitment to delivering high-quality, socially driven housing that creates lasting value for residents and the wider community."
The project was constructed by CCG (Scotland) Ltd, with Brown + Wallace acting as contract administrator, principal designer and quantity surveyor, Will Rudd Davidson as structural engineer, Rankin Fraser as landscape architect, Carbon Futures as energy consultant and DSSR as environmental and M&E engineer. J Usher Ltd and Primext FM & Small Works Ltd were the brickwork contractors.
The recognition follows further award success for projects supplied by Taylor Maxwell Group companies. Greenholme Street in Glasgow, Dundee Innovation Hub and Napiershall Street in Glasgow have been shortlisted for the 2026 Brick Awards.
Two education projects supplied by SBS Cladding, part of the Taylor Maxwell Group, have also secured three shortlist places at the Façade Awards UK 2026. Immanuel College Post-16 in Leeds is shortlisted for Best Use of Fibre Cement Cladding Panels. Bedford Academy, is shortlisted in the same category and for Best New Build: Education Setting. The winner of the 2026 RIBA Neave Brown Award for Housing will be announced on 15 October 2026.