Three possible solutions to the UK's homelessness crisis make the 2023 Davidson Prize shortlist

Three finalists for the 2023 Davidson Prize have been announced as part of the competition’s third edition. 

According to its organizers, “the Davidson Prize is an annual design ideas competition recognising transformative architecture of the home. The prize exists to celebrate innovative design ideas, to encourage multi-disciplinary collaboration and to promote compelling visual communication.”

Entries were responding to a brief that calls for a solution to the increasing rate of homelessness in the UK and Ireland under an imaginary conceit wherein abandoned structures have been banned. Proposals were asked to select a brownfield or greenfield site or an abandoned structure that could accommodate up to 50 persons from selected demographic groups. 

“This is a terrifically strong shortlist with proposals addressing a wide range of issues around homelessness, geographic and cultural contexts and ways that architecture can help to address them,” juror and 2022 Davidson Prize winner Charles Holland said. “The teams also include people from many different disciplines, recognizing that responses need to address policy, care and economics as much as architecture.”

"The ideas were strongly communicated and boldly addressed current social and political contexts. We were left wanting more and are looking forward to seeing these proposals developed further,” his fellow juror Yemí Aládérun added. 

Each team will be given £5,000 to develop their ideas further. The winner will be announced in June as part of the London Festival of Architecture. A Davidson Prize People’s Choice Award will also be rewarded. The outright winner of the main competition receives £10,000. 

Here are this year's finalists: 

Home Building