Case Studies in New Classical & Traditional Design: Learning From Nansledan

Presentations and a panel discussion by the designers of the 540-acre mixed-use community in Cornwall

The Case Studies in New Classical & Traditional Design series explores the design and execution of new contemporary classical and traditional work from the practitioner’s perspective. Each session explores a unique project or building type to demystify the complexities of how challenging projects successfully come together.

This installment of the series examines Nansledan, a 540-acre extension to the city of Newquay on the north coast of Cornwall. Nansledan is the distinguished recipient of the 2025 Gindroz Award for Excellence in Affordable Housing.

The ICAA was pleased to welcome Nansledan's design team to New York City as part of the inaugural Gindroz Symposium on Affordable Housing, held in November 2025. Nansledan's team delivered presentations on the planning, design, and construction of the development, and answered questions as part of a panel discussion.

In their presentations, Phil Mason (Cornwall Council), Ben Bolgar (The King’s Foundation), Peter James (Duchy of Cornwall), and Hugh Petter (ADAM Architecture) addressed varied aspects of the project, including community engagement, logistical and infrastructural challenges, the architectural and design language of the built environment, and the concept of harmony as expressed throughout Nansledan. The presentations underscored Nansledan’s commitment to providing affordable housing that is seamlessly integrated into the community.

This is the first recording from the Gindroz Award Symposium, followed by Neighborhoods of Affordable Housing. The last portion of the event, Excellence in the Design of Affordable Housing, included a panel discussion with all of the featured winners, and closing remarks from the award's namesake, Ray Gindroz.

Learning Objectives

• Explore strategies for designing mixed-use neighborhoods that are environmentally and economically sustainable and meet the needs of residents of all income levels.
• Discuss the reasons why affordable housing in Cornwall declined in the 1990s, how the need for an intervention was identified, and what partnerships were needed to begin work on a new urban plan.
• Understand how urban design and architecture strategies can create neighborhoods that are safer and promote the creativity as well as social and mental well-being of inhabitants.
• Discuss zoning requirements and infrastructural improvements that improve walkability and reduce car dependency, making local communities healthier and more sustainable.

Assessment & Credit

Viewers may receive 2.25 AIA CES Learning Units|HSW and 2.25 credits towards the Certificate in Classical Architecture (Elective) by watching this video course and subsequently scoring at least 70% on a summative assessment that tests your understanding of the material. For more information on Continuing Education credit, please email [email protected], or call 212-730-9646 x 112.

The assessment is available here.

Course Feedback Form

Once you have watched the course, we would appreciate your feedback on the course content via this anonymous feedback form, which will help us to improve future online courses.

Prerequisites

There are no pre-requisites required for this course.

AIA Continuing Education Provider Information

Sponsors

The ICAA is grateful for the support of the Muse Family Foundation for making the Gindroz Award for Excellence in Affordable Housing possible, and to Suzanne Santry and Russell Windham for providing additional support.

Presented as part of The Richard H. Driehaus Curricula for the Built Environment at the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art. The ICAA is very grateful to The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation for its generous support of this program.

Tags: education, video course, credit available, case studies