The Mother’s House
Balaam Murphy, Platform Homes Self-Build, Social Action for Health, Single Parent Rights, Lucie Stroud, Circlus
A new typology forged from existing structures to support single mothers and children
In England there are 40,000 single mothers living in temporary accommodation. Single mothers make up 6% of households, but nearly 40% of homeless households. Caring for children has specific spatial needs, but homeless families are often moved into single rooms with no kitchen, nowhere to wash clothes, nowhere for children to play, and sometimes in a room so small, there is no space for the baby’s crib. Isolated and struggling, homeless mothers are more likely than any other group to be trapped in long-term poverty.
As observed by Hilary Cottam in her 2018 book Radical Help, “When people feel supported by strong human relationships change happens”. The Mother’s House is about creating fundamental change in the prospects of homeless single mothers. It provides a secure home from which to make decisions about the future, grouping compact flats around shared space and balancing private space for family living with communal space to encourage informal support networks.
The site is Albert Jacob House in Bethnal Green, London. This now vacant council-owned building previously provided homeless advice services. New legislation will soon require extensive upgrades to offices to improve energy performance, creating an opportunity to refurbish and re-task the structure. With funding from the GLA’s Innovation Fund, a shared south-facing balcony is formed by a recessed, insulated envelope to improve energy efficiency. Designed for adaptability, recycled and reused materials create comfortable and joyful living spaces.
Run by a women-led housing association, revenue from retained commercial spaces would help fund on-site childcare and support services. The proposal is realistic and scalable – The Mother’s House in Bethnal Green would be the first site in a series across the country.
Balaam Murphy
Fran Balaam, Architect, team lead, single mother
Matt Murphy, Project co-director
Lucy Pritchard, Team member
Social Action for Health
Ceri Durham, CEO
Lucie Stroud, Single mother in housing uncertainty
Single Parents Rights
Ruth Talbot, Single mother and activist
Circlus
Morgan Lewis, Architect and circular economy lead
Platform Homes Self-Build
Ryan McStay, Architect, Tower Hamlets based community housing group and sustainability lead
