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It is a project of just 23 houses, but the Islington Square development in New Islington, east Manchester, is well on the way to becoming the country’s best-known new housing development. Love it or hate it, there is no denying that Dutch-style gables, zig-zag patterned brickwork and balconies cute enough for a gingerbread house make these homes memorable.

Such distinctive features resulted from an unusually high degree of collaboration between residents and architect FAT, landlord Great Places and developer Urban Splash. The residents, all of whom were being relocated from the nearby Cardroom Estate, helped to choose their landlord and their architect and were adamant that they wanted their new homes to be two-storey houses, rather than apartments.

After taking residents to the Netherlands to see modern house designs, Great Places and FAT held workshops, made models and visited the home of every resident who chose to be involved in the first phase of the project. FAT listened to how residents wanted to live and interpreted their vision in the designs, although not without compromise on both sides. The resulting homes provide a flexible, high-quality living space, and are popular with residents, and this successful collaboration has made the partners a clear winner in this category.

Runners up

London borough of Barking and Dagenham, working with East Thames Group, Peter Barber Architects, Jestico + Whiles, Robert Lombardelli Partnership

Taking a scheme from blank page to planning permission in 15 weeks would test the best of partnerships, but Barking council and registered social landlord East Thames Group, together with their team of consultants, have committed to working together in a spirit of mutual trust.

Their partnership started with one project, but now covers three within the town centre’s regeneration programme. The projects are: Tanner Street Gateway, a 165-unit scheme of apartments and houses for all tenures, including self-build; a 116-unit foyer with training facilities; and a 96-unit scheme of mixed-tenure apartments and maisonettes in Axe Street.

Such projects are symbols of change for a borough that is embarking on a massive programme of regeneration, and show what partnership can deliver.

O&H Properties, David Lock Associates, Peter Brett Associates and Nene Housing Association

Creating Hampton, a new community of 7,500 homes and 3 million ft2 of business, retail and leisure space is a long-term project, and requires a long and enduring relationship. Landowner O&H Properties, planning consultant David Lock Associates, transport and environmental consultant Peter Brett Associates and registered social landlord Nene Housing Association have formed a happy marriage, playing to their relative strengths to deliver a community on 2,500 acres of brownfield land near Peterborough.

So far, more than 2,600 private and affordable homes have been built, along with more than 2 million ft2 of employment space providing some 12,000 jobs. Innovations on the project include a pilot scheme of 36 environmentally friendly homes and design guides covering the site’s public transport, and retail, cultural and community facilities.