Buckley Gray Yeoman’s Director of Residential and British Homes Awards judge talks sustainability in social housing, the power of mixed use and the role of awards in design and architecture. Beatrix Young has been a judge with the British Homes Awards for the past three years. Here she talks through a number of issues impacting the residential sector.
Q: Can you talk to me about your interest in incorporating Passivhaus principles in social housing?
BY: “I’d say my interest in incorporating Passivhaus principles into social housing really comes from both a personal and professional place. On a personal level, I think a lot about the future for my own children and the reality that, with the current cost of housing and living, they may struggle to get on the property ladder. That’s a concern for many families, and it makes me passionate about creating homes that are not only affordable but genuinely beautiful and uplifting, places where people feel they truly belong.
Professionally, I’ve always believed that good design shouldn’t be a privilege. Whether someone lives in a rented home, social housing, or owns their home, they all deserve quality and comfort. Passivhaus isn’t a magic solution (there are debates about embodied carbon in large-scale projects) but when approached thoughtfully, it can make a huge difference.
For me, it’s about equity in housing and creating intergenerational communities where people can thrive. Architecture has such a powerful role in shaping that future, and Passivhaus principles are one of the tools we can use to make homes sustainable, comfortable, and accessible for everyone.”
Q: What role does mixed use play in the evolution of the residential sector?
BY: “Mixed use plays such an important role because, at its heart, it’s about making sure people have the everyday things they need close at hand. That looks different for
everyone. For families, it might mean schools within walking distance and a local shop for essentials. For commuters, it’s easy access to transport. For others, it’s about lifestyle, the spaces where you can meet a neighbour for a cup of tea, a café for a change of scene, or even a community garden to grow your tomatoes. Mixed use also creates opportunities for connection and diversity. It’s not just about blending homes with shops and cafés, it’s about integrating different types of living: older people’s housing, student accommodation, co-living, and traditional homes. When you bring these together, you create intergenerational communities that feel vibrant and inclusive. We look for projects that go beyond ticking boxes and instead curate a genuine sense of place, where living, working, and
leisure coexist seamlessly. Ultimately, mixed use is about designing for real life. It ensures that people can access what matters most to them, whether that’s convenience, connection, or culture - that’s what makes a place more than just housing, it makes it a community.”
Q: Can you talk me through a couple of residential projects BGY is involved with?
BY: “It’s hard to choose just a couple because we’ve been involved in some exciting projects! Our Wheat Quarter masterplan in Welwyn Garden City has just received planning permission. The scheme delivers 578 homes across multiple tenures, an aparthotel, extra care housing, and leisure spaces. Rather than seeing heritage and proximity to the
railway as constraints, we’ve embraced them, turning the silos into a climbing wall and leisure space, creating tree-lined boulevards, generous public spaces like play areas, and introducing sustainable infrastructure and nature.
On the other end of the scale, is our beautiful scheme Dace Road in Hackney Wick. Here, we delivered 144 affordable homes alongside flexible commercial spaces for independent businesses, bringing life and employment opportunities into the heart of the community. The design focuses on wellbeing, biodiversity, and shared spaces like terraces and courtyards, blurring the lines between live/work and public/private. We also incorporated Passivhaus principles to reduce heating and cooling loads
And if I look back at our retrofit work, the Textile Factory project is a beautiful example. I love the bridge connections we used to transform and connect two buildings that formed the former Burberry factory into 86 apartments.
For us, whether it’s a large masterplan or a smaller infill site, the goal is always the same: it’s all about creating sustainable, inclusive communities where people feel at home.”
Q: What did you take from your experience as a judge in the 2025 British Homes Awards?
BY: “The British Homes Awards are such a brilliant celebration of design and innovation and what I love most is seeing the sheer variety of projects, the different scales, ambitions and approaches. What I took away this year was a real sense of ingenuity. Rising construction costs have clearly impacted many projects, yet the creativity and problem-solving on display were inspiring. I was particularly struck by schemes that achieved exceptional design on very limited budgets; there are so many beautifully creative and innovative ways to solve design problems.”
Q: Why is it important for architects and designers to enter awards?
BY: “I think awards are so important because they’re not just about recognition, they’re about sharing ideas and showing what’s possible. They capture the creativity and ingenuity in our industry and you learn so much from them. Residential design is such a varied and exciting typology and seeing submissions across all scales really reinforces that. They’re a chance to share your work, celebrate the profession and give architects and designers that moment of recognition for all their hard work.”
Q: How would you like to see the residential sector evolve in 2026?
BY: “That’s a tough question! The residential sector has evolved so much over the past decade, with constant legislative and regulatory changes. Honestly, I’d love to see some stability in 2026 because right now there are so many challenges just to get a project to the drawing board. Looking ahead, I think we need to embrace all forms of living, whether that’s private homes, co-living, or some of the new typologies that are emerging so everyone has a safe, affordable place to live. Understanding and accepting this mix of living will help us deliver the homes we need which means thinking beyond the building itself and looking at the social infrastructure, active ground floors, green spaces, and walkable connections that would make density work for people.”
