Design For Homes was founded in 2000 as a social enterprise. This means the company doesn’t have shareholders and puts any surplus into improving design. For example, we run Building for a Healthy Life despite it making a loss most years, but while it has clear value to the industry (recommend by the NPPF and the Placemaking PPG), we shall continue to do so. We offer low-cost support to not-for-profits such as LPAs and neighbourhood forums, usually charging only for on-costs such as travel, not our time. We do charge for some services, notably consultancy to the industry’s supply chain which uses our database of scheme information to plan how they respond to emerging patterns of design and construction.

​Housing Design Awards

In 2005 we were appointed by Government to replace RIBA in running the Housing Design Awards. These are the oldest such awards in England (predating even the RIBA’s by 19 years) and are the most established in the Anglophone world with tens of thousands of unique visitors each week accessing 1500+ case studies and 100+ films. The awards were the only housing design resource promoted in the recent Design and Placemaking PPG issued by MHCLG in January 2026.

Videos

Each year the Housing Design Awards make short films about completed winners, interviewing development teams, planning authorities and always the residents. This is the perfect update to the Housing Design Awards’ original purpose, which was to hear what residents think about new designs.

Research, Reports And Publications

We undertake research and often lead research on issues that we feel need greater clarity of advice, such as car parking and bin storage. We are regularly commissioned to conduct bespoke research. In 2007 we produced a report for the Scania region of Sweden. It warned the region’s exporters not to invest in breaking into the UK housing market because its growth appeared unsustainable. A month after the report’s release, Northern Rock failed.

​Study Tours

We organise study tours around information needs. So whether you are planning a Garden City, an urban regeneration project or simply looking for inspiration for new house types, we can help. Our study tours are valued for the unrivalled access to both developments and the people behind them, a reason we have so many repeat clients.

Training

We train in urban design issues. A day will typically involve a number of visits to reinforce ideas. We are responsible for training both Homes England’s staff and those at many of the UK’s leading companies.​

​Collaboration

We are collaborators. Promoting ‘our brand’ means less to a not-for-profit than successful outcomes. For years we have been the back office of Building for a Healthy Life and the Housing Design Awards. Other stakeholders know their stake will be respected and not subsumed in a battle for publicity.

Contact Us

We use a telephone screening service which will convert your voice mails into an email to us (we’re nearly always out visiting new homes). You can ring the number below or email [email protected].

Please call us on 020 3301 3856 to discuss your needs.