The Salvation Army Territorial Headquarters

Southwark, Greater London

The new Salvation Army headquarters in Denmark Hill is rooted in a vision to reflect the charity’s Christian values and operational needs, the project exemplifies how heritage and modernity can harmoniously coexist. The design respects the historical significance of its setting, completing Sir Giles Gilbert Scott’s unfinished masterplan while introducing contemporary elements. The red-brick façade, vertical architectural language, and thoughtful massing ensure a dialogue with the Grade II-listed William Booth College, embodying both continuity and innovation. The atrium is a masterstroke, fostering connectivity, daylight penetration, and community, serving as the building’s vibrant heart. Sustainability was at the project’s core, with strategies designed for longevity and environmental responsibility. The ribbed concrete slabs, with their minimised material usage and embodied carbon savings, exemplify innovative engineering. Passive heating and cooling systems, efficient thermal mass utilisation, and the inclusion of renewable energy sources like PV panels showcase a commitment to reducing operational carbon. The integration of biodiversity features, such as bird and bat boxes, alongside sustainable drainage systems and reused demolition waste, underscores a holistic approach to ecological stewardship. Public spaces like Café Hope and flexible ground-floor facilities foster community interaction, while the provision of accessible features, such as Changing Places facilities, braille signage, visual and tactile navigation aids and WELL principles, reflect a care for users' physical and emotional wellbeing. 

The building’s benefits to the community extend far beyond its walls. Café Hope, with its mentorship programs and “pay-it-forward” model, exemplifies social responsibility, creating a welcoming space for locals and those in need. The Salvation Army’s mission to uplift vulnerable groups is further amplified by flexible spaces hosting prayers, concerts, and community events, integrating the organisation’s ethos into the urban fabric. The new headquarters is a testament to design’s power to unify past, present, and future. It provides a functional, inspiring workspace for staff while enriching the community and setting a precedent for sustainable, inclusive architecture. 

Judges’ Comments: 

“In every respect, it is a building crafted to serve its users and its mission admirably.”