Hope Street

by Snug Architects

Client One Small Thing

Award RIBA South Award 2025, RIBA South Client of the Year (sponsored by Equitone) and RIBA South Sustainability Award (sponsored by Autodesk)

The award winner tells us: "Hope Street reimagines rehabilitation for women and their children, offering a compassionate, trauma-informed alternative to custodial sentences. Conceived as a home rather than an institution, it provides uplifting spaces where women can heal, develop life skills, and prepare for independent living. The design centres on dignity and trust, featuring communal lounges, activity rooms, a coffee shop, and counselling spaces, all within a warm, domestic architectural language.

A therapeutic garden lies at the heart of the project, offering spaces for reflection and connection, symbolised by a central river birch tree representing hope. The building avoids institutional triggers, prioritising privacy, safety and a sense of belonging. Natural materials, high levels of daylight and biophilic design create a restorative environment.

Hope Street balances secure, welcoming accommodation with an open connection to the community, embodying a forward-thinking, sustainable approach to justice and well-being that uplifts its residents and inspires change."

The jury says: "The design incorporated biophilic principles, using natural materials, daylighting and green spaces to enhance well-being and reduce energy demand. It adopts a fabric-first approach for airtightness, renewable energy systems (photovoltaics, solar thermal panels, air-source heat pumps), and the use of cross-laminated timber (CLT) to reduce embodied carbon.

Natural ventilation and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) enhance cooling, while prefabrication and the choice of reusable materials minimise waste. Ecological design incorporates therapeutic and functional gardens to support biodiversity. The project aims to achieve BREEAM Outstanding certification, reflecting its exemplary performance in sustainability. Performance metrics target energy use below 55 kWh per square metre per year and potable water use under 10 litres per person per day."

Read the full citation from the RIBA Awards Jury on RIBA Journal

Gross internal area 1,354m²