Crisis UK

CRISIS UK

RIBA Stages 0-7

Unit3 Design Studio has been appointed by Crisis UK, the national homelessness charity, to support the relocation of its existing Liverpool branch from the Ropewalks area to 120 Mount Pleasant, an existing building forming part of the Liverpool Medical Institute.

The project represents an important refurbishment and reorganisation of an existing city centre building to create a welcoming, professional and sensitive environment for Crisis staff, members and visitors. The new Liverpool base will provide improved internal spaces that support the charity’s day-to-day work, while also helping to create a calm and dignified setting for those accessing its services.

The refurbishment involves the careful reconfiguration of the internal layout, general upgrades, decoration works and improvements to the overall working environment. A key part of the brief is to create a space that feels calm, inclusive and supportive, while also providing practical and efficient accommodation for staff, meetings, support services and member engagement.

Working within an existing building requires a considered architectural approach. Unit3’s role is to review the existing layout, understand the operational needs of Crisis UK, and develop a refurbishment strategy that makes best use of the available space. The design process considers accessibility, privacy, staff wellbeing, safeguarding, circulation, comfort and the need to create a positive experience for all building users.

The relocation to 120 Mount Pleasant provides an opportunity to deliver a more suitable and carefully organised workplace for the Liverpool branch. Internal finishes, colours, lighting, furniture layouts and spatial arrangements will all contribute to the creation of a calm, professional and welcoming environment. The design aims to avoid an institutional feel and instead provide a warm, respectful and practical setting that reflects the important work undertaken by Crisis UK.

As architects, Unit3 Design Studio understands the importance of designing spaces that are not only functional, but also socially responsive. This project requires sensitivity to the needs of both staff and members, ensuring the building can support confidential conversations, collaborative working, welfare support and the wider operational requirements of a busy charitable organisation.

The refurbishment of 120 Mount Pleasant will help Crisis UK continue its work in Liverpool from a city centre location with strong connections to public transport, local services and the wider community. By reusing and improving an existing building, the project also supports a sustainable approach to development, reducing the need for new-build construction while giving renewed purpose to an established Liverpool property.

For Unit3 Design Studio, the project reflects our continued experience in commercial refurbishment, charity sector projects, workplace design and sensitive internal reconfiguration. The scheme combines practical architectural design with a clear social purpose, supporting Crisis UK in delivering essential services from a calm, professional and well-considered new Liverpool base.

Work in progress

Unit3 are an award winning multi-disciplinary design studio based in Liverpool’s Baltic Triangle. We work across three design sectors (architecture, graphic design and creative media) and help clients across the UK and internationally achieve great designs.

If you have a project in mind and would like to meet us, get in touch!