It was the first (and possibly last) time a group of Anglican nuns had ever graced such a spectacle. McLaughlin has now gone one better with the award of this year’s royal gold medal, one of the world’s most illustrious architectural honours. It recognises McLaughlin’s impact across architectural practice, critical discourse and design education. Constructed from more sober, speckled grey brick, this takes its cues from archetypal Peabody housing blocks originally designed by Henry Darbishire in the 1860s. View image in fullscreen Peabody housing, designed by Niall McLaughlin, which uses diachroic glazing that changes colour to the mood of the light.