Ashmere Wins Double at Housing Design Awards for Placemaking
Ashmere, the flagship development by Vistry Kent in partnership with Clarion, has achieved a remarkable milestone, receiving two prestigious Housing Design Awards that celebrate innovation, sustainability, and community-focused development. Located in the heart of Ebbsfleet Garden City, one of the UK’s most ambitious regeneration projects, Ashmere has been recognised for setting a new benchmark in housing design and placemaking.
The development was first selected by Homes England as the best example of a scheme built to “Building for a Healthy Life” (BFHL) principles, the national standard for well-designed communities that promote healthier, more sustainable living. Ashmere was then chosen again by the Future Homes Hub—a collaboration between government and industry that maps out the journey to net-zero housing communities—as the standout development for its forward-thinking approach to design, sustainability, and community integration.
These dual accolades highlight Ashmere’s commitment to creating high-quality streets and spaces, a strong sense of community, and innovative approaches to sustainable placemaking.
A New Standard for Placemaking in Ebbsfleet
For Ebbsfleet Garden City, a project tasked with delivering more than 15,000 new homes alongside world-class infrastructure, schools, and workplaces, Ashmere represents a significant turning point. While the area has long been viewed as a critical part of the UK’s housing strategy, critics have argued that earlier phases lacked the “human scale” and sense of place that makes communities thrive.
Ashmere is seen as a direct response to this challenge. With its distinctive architecture, community-first design, and landscape-led planning, the development has been praised as a model of what modern placemaking should look like.
“There are few large developments where you can feel the human focus. And there are even fewer that win Housing Design Awards—two in this case,” remarked David Birkbeck, CEO of Design for Homes, the organisation behind the Housing Design Awards. “Ebbsfleet needed better placemaking and now Vistry has delivered the quality it wanted.”
The Vision Behind Ashmere
Ashmere is being delivered under the Countryside Homes brand and is part of a wider vision that will eventually provide around 3,000 homes. The first phase, which already includes 281 homes across a mix of private sale and affordable tenures, has been carefully designed to balance housing needs with quality of life.
But Ashmere is more than just a housing project. The development is integrated into a comprehensive masterplan that includes:
- New schools to support families and future generations.
- Shops and local services designed to meet everyday needs within walking distance.
- Expansive green spaces and parks that provide recreation, biodiversity, and wellbeing benefits.
- Sustainable transport links, including connections to Ebbsfleet International station, which offers high-speed rail access to London and beyond.
This holistic approach ensures that Ashmere is not only providing homes but is also creating a thriving, self-sustaining neighbourhood that reflects the garden city ethos.
Design Inspired by Local Heritage
One of Ashmere’s most celebrated features is its ability to combine modern housing design with the rich heritage of Kent’s landscape. Drawing inspiration from the area’s chalk cliffs, farmland traditions, and historic Kent villages, the architecture and layout of the development create a strong sense of place.
Homes are designed to be distinctive yet harmonious, blending contemporary forms with references to local building styles. The use of natural materials, varied rooflines, and careful detailing ensures that Ashmere feels authentic to its setting.
The development also places a strong emphasis on landscape and ecology. Judges highlighted the biodiverse planting, wildlife corridors, and green infrastructure that not only enhance aesthetics but also contribute to the area’s ecological resilience. Streets are designed to prioritise pedestrians and cyclists, reducing car dominance and fostering a safer, more sociable environment.
Building for a Healthy Life
Central to Ashmere’s success is its adherence to the Building for a Healthy Life (BFHL) principles. BFHL is a nationally recognised design framework developed in partnership with NHS England, Homes England, and Design for Homes, with the goal of creating healthier, greener, and more inclusive neighbourhoods.
The framework focuses on areas such as:
- Well-connected street layouts that promote walking and cycling.
- Green and open spaces that improve physical and mental wellbeing.
- Inclusive public spaces that encourage social interaction and community cohesion.
- Sustainable construction methods and energy-efficient design to reduce environmental impact.
By embedding these principles into every aspect of the development, Vistry Kent has ensured that Ashmere is not just a place to live, but a place to thrive.
A Model for Net-Zero Communities
The recognition from the Future Homes Hub highlights Ashmere’s role in advancing the UK’s transition towards net-zero housing communities. With growing pressure on the construction industry to reduce carbon emissions, developments like Ashmere are crucial in demonstrating how homes can be both beautiful and sustainable.
The project incorporates a range of sustainable features, including:
- High levels of energy efficiency through modern building techniques.
- Smart water management systems to reduce consumption.
- Biodiverse green spaces that act as natural carbon sinks.
- Integration of future-ready infrastructure for electric vehicles and renewable technologies.
By aligning itself with government and industry sustainability goals, Ashmere serves as a blueprint for future large-scale housing projects.
Community at the Core
While sustainability and design innovation are key achievements, what sets Ashmere apart is its focus on community life. The development has been planned to encourage interaction among residents through shared spaces, walkable streets, and communal amenities.
From pocket parks to landscaped squares, every detail has been considered to create opportunities for residents to connect. This focus on social value was central to its recognition at the Housing Design Awards.
“This recognition reflects the hard work and vision of everyone involved in Ashmere. It’s a shining example of how thoughtful design can shape communities where people truly love to live,” said Chris Foot, Associate Development Director for Vistry Kent.
A Catalyst for Ebbsfleet’s Future
Ashmere’s success is not just a win for Vistry Kent and Clarion, but also for Ebbsfleet Garden City as a whole. The development is seen as a catalyst that raises expectations for future projects within the Garden City and beyond.
It demonstrates that high-density housing can still feel personal, welcoming, and rooted in local identity. It also proves that large-scale developments can be delivered with a strong focus on health, sustainability, and community.
