Specialism Overview
We strive to create buildings that respond to their context and climate, as well as our client’s budget, with a focus on exploiting opportunities to make memorable places.
Consequently, we don’t have a ‘signature-style’. Every design evolves as a solution to a unique set of challenges which we approach with ‘signature-thinking’ – a thoughtful, creative process that allows the character and ideas of each project to flourish in its own way. We call this Thoughtful Design.‘We shape buildings, then buildings shape us’. This thinking underpins our approach to architecture.
HMP Bronzefield
HMP Bronzefield is the first purpose-designed women’s prison since Holloway. It has a CNA of 450 spread through three two-story high cross-shaped house blocks. Residential units are limited to a maximum of 34 prisoners, and are arranged around a large landscaped square with free-flow circulation. A strong operational brief focusing particularly on women prisoners’ needs was developed at the outset with operational staff. An awareness of issues such as the prevalence of self-harm, family responsibilities, support requirements, and typical sentence structure has informed all stages of the design including careful considerations of scale, detail, and finish.
HMP Belmarsh East
This new facility located adjacent to the existing HMP Belmarsh prison, is a 480 CNA training prison for young adult males, incorporating extensive educational and training facilities, with a visitors centre and visits complex including legal visits and video court suites. The development is designed to achieve BREEAM Excellent rating and includes CHP and Biomass heating, rainwater harvesting and maximisation of natural ventilation and daylight throughout.