Women's Refuge

The Grimsby Women’s Aid was founded in 1977 and had been located at its current premises for 27 years. The accommodation had been adapted from a number of police houses which were once part of the listed crown court complex of buildings. We envisaged a radical improvement to the refuge facilities. Along with retaining office accommodation and children’s play facilities we introduced suitable storage, training and staff rooms as well as providing units of self contained accommodation (A mix of 2 bed flats and bedsits).

Whilst the existing building was retained and refurbished,a new extension to the south elevation allowed for office space and residents shared facilities (lounge, kitchen, dining, homework room and quiet room) on the ground floor are 2 flats and a bedsit to the first floor. To the north-eastern corner of the site a new 3 storey extension which houses storage, training and staff rooms on the ground floor, with flats and a bedsit to each of the upper floors. An open courtyard is situated in the north-western corner and allows the rooms around it to enjoy natural light and ventilation. A further single storey structure to the south-eastern corner of the site contains the children’s playroom which opens directly onto the garden via a deck area.

The project was recognised nationally by winning an RIBA White Rose Award in 2007 and also the prestigious RIBA White Rose ‘Client Of The Year’ Award. The latter illustrated the positive close working relationship between architect and client.