Hope Street is a pilot program for women involved in the criminal justice system. Located in a residential area of Southampton, the facility embodies the principles of trauma-informed architecture using mass timber.

The organization that pioneered Hope Street, is called, 'One Small Thing'. Their initial brief and design guide was for a space that would build trust, create a sense of place where women and their children could feel like they belong in a restorative environment that would be both a sanctuary and a community.

Essential to One Small Thing’s program is that every resident feels ‘welcome and not managed’ in a home-away-from-home setting. It matters here that there is not an institutional and criminal justice feel to the space so women could receive the support counselling services they offer.

One Small Thing also wanted a residential facility where children could stay with their mothers and put an end to the trauma of separation that all too often happens for mothers in correctional facilities. With these values at heart, Snug Architects, carefully considered all of their design choices and materials.

'Once we had established this principle, we looked at how we could continue to reinforce it by the macro and the micro decisions, and this is where materiality and cross-laminated timber (CLT) comes into it, said lead architect, Mike Worthington. He went on to explain, 'CLT not only has the important program and environmental benefits; its natural warmth and beauty play a key role in creating the biophilic healing environment. It has long been recognised that wood's biophilic properties can have a positive impact on health and wellbeing by improving internal air quality, reducing stress levels - even reportedly lowering heart rate and blood pressure, and giving a sense of connection to nature. We knew it was the perfect material for Hope Street and we asked ourselves 'what is CLT's role? The answer was, 'let's use it where it can play it's orchestral note in this piece which it does, beautifully'. (Hope Street interview with EURBAN)

Residential Units

The residential building includes four ground-floor flats and four flats accessed on the first floor overlooking the therapeutic garden. Women have the freedom to come and go from their home with their own key within the limitations of their community order. Each unit has its own kitchen, dining area and lounge to help create a sense of home. There is a mix of single and family rooms.

Communal Spaces

Communal spaces are a crucial aspect of the design, providing areas for social interaction, support, and shared activities. These spaces are designed to be calm and uplifting, with natural light, comfortable furnishings, and soothing colours. The communal rooms are intended to be flexible, accommodating a range of activities from group therapy sessions to social gatherings.

On the ground floor is a coffee shop open to the community that provides work opportunities for the women, along with the main oak-lined entrance, a welcome lounge and a second controlled entry door which provides a discreet, welcoming entrance to women arriving from Court.

Outdoor Spaces

The outdoor spaces at Hope Street are designed to be therapeutic and restorative. The central courtyard is elegantly planted, providing a green oasis for residents. Private gardens and outdoor seating areas also allow residents to spend time outdoors in a safe and tranquil environment.

Offices and Seminar Rooms

The upper levels provide office spaces and large seminar rooms used for multi-agency working and trauma-informed group counselling.

The Hope Room

The Hope Room is the central core space used for trauma healing. The architectural choices of exposed sustainable wood helps to create a sense of warmth and belonging while the tall vaulted walls and pitched ceiling with exposed CLT of the superstructure, create a sense of grandeur. The roof light and large windows create a spiritual feeling to the room that is further enhanced by the windows that make biophilic connections with nature and the therapeutic gardens below. The Sylva CLT Walls have been clad with an acoustic timber baton system to enhance the acoustics.

Safety and Security

Safety is a paramount concern in trauma-informed design. At Hope Street, this is addressed through both physical and psychological measures. The layout of the building ensures clear sightlines and minimizes hidden areas, reducing the potential for fear or anxiety. Security measures are discreet, ensuring that residents feel safe without feeling constantly watched.

AWARDS

RIBA MacEwen Award 2024: This prestigious award celebrates "architecture for the common good." Hope Street was recognized for its exceptional design and its positive impact on the community, particularly for women and children who have experienced trauma.

Civic Trust Award 2024: Hope Street also won a Civic Trust Award, which honors projects that offer a positive cultural, social, economic, or environmental benefit to their communities.

South Coast Property Awards for 'Sustainable Development of the Year 2024'

Structural Timber Awards for 'Healthcare Project of the Year 2023'.

On Track to Meet BREEAM 'Outstanding' Rating

Publications about the project

EURBAN thought leadership article: The Role of Mass Timber in Trauma Informed Design

Case study on Hope Street Mike Worthington Lead Architect with Snug Architects

Video on trauma informed design with Snug Architects

Featured in the RIBA Journal | Channel 4, | Positive News, | Daily Echo & The Guardian

Read more: Mass timber health and wellness benefits