The London-based, community-focused architect will work with landscape architect BCAL, engineer Elliott Wood, town planner Tibbalds, and lighting designer Michael Grubb Studio.
An exact timeline for developing the scheme remains subject to ‘external factors beyond the control’ of the Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission, which is overseeing the project in north Kensington, west London.
It was initially reported that a planning application would be submitted in late 2026, but it is now hoped the final design will be revealed by the middle of 2027.
Freehaus was chosen from a diverse five-strong shortlist that also included aris and Brussels-based New South, which was shortlisted in last year’s AR Emerging awards; Office Sian, who featured in the Architecture Foundation’s 2021 publication, New Architects 4; George King Architects, which designed the 2023 Sheffield Covid memorial sculpture; and education and community specialists Curl La Tourelle Head Architecture.
The RIBA-organised contest asked entrants to create a ‘bold, fitting and lasting memorial’ to remember the 72 victims who lost their lives in the fire.
As part of the process, all five shortlisted teams had to show ‘significant experience and expertise’ and ‘understanding of the importance of working with the community, alongside technical ability, including team resources and approach to design development and delivery’.
The winner and shortlist
- Freehaus (WINNER)
- Curl La Tourelle Head Architecture
- George King Architects with Grow to Know
- New South
- Office Sian
Freehaus is also collaborating with access and inclusion consultant, Jayne Earnscliffe, writer and poet Yomi Ṣode, and engagement lead Social Place, to ensure the memorial ‘is truly community-led and creates positive and meaningful opportunities for those most impacted by the tragedy’.
According to the Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission, the memorial will reflect ‘the aspirations and priorities’ that the community has already shared, such as how to incorporate ‘height, water, light, art and names’ into the memorial, how it is used, and inclusion of materials from Grenfell Tower.
Freehaus directors Jonathan Hagos and Tom Bell said they were ‘honoured to have been chosen’ for the project.
‘Over the last year, we have been invited to listen to the experiences of those most affected by the tragedy,’ they said, ‘and we are grateful to all who have shared so openly the lasting impacts of that night.
‘The design of this memorial is a responsibility we do not take lightly’
‘We are now looking ahead to working closely with the bereaved, survivors and the rest of the Grenfell community, to design a fitting memorial for the many lives so tragically lost.’
They added: ‘As we take our first steps in this journey, we want to acknowledge the eight years of advocacy and purposeful action led by the Grenfell community that have brought us here. The design of this future memorial is a responsibility that we do not take lightly.’
The practice – one of the AJ 40 under 40 cohort in 2020 – is known for its refurbishment of the Africa Centre headquarters in Southwark, the Rising Green Youth Hub in Wood Green and the 639 Community Enterprise Centre in Tottenham.
It is currently designing a new civic hub in Warwickshire, a series of refurbished educational spaces for the Clement James Centre, a charity based in north-west Kensington, and exhibitions across several London institutions charting the experiences of marginalised people.
Former RIBA president Jane Duncan, who acted as the competition’s architect adviser and has been chair of the RIBA fire safety expert advisory group since 2017, said: ‘Freehaus is a truly exceptional multidisciplinary design team, and I have no doubt they will enable the community to realise their vision for a beautiful, exemplary and fitting memorial to their loved ones.
‘The team brings strong leadership, deep experience and outstanding communication and listening skills, combined with humility, sensitivity and genuine humanity.’
‘Through their thoughtful and collaborative approach, they will support the community through the achingly tough decisions still to come as the memorial is co-designed and delivered.’
Work to take down Grenfell Tower began in September. The process is due to take two years.
The government has vowed that the 24-storey building, part of the Lancaster West Estate, will be dismantled ‘with great care and sensitivity’ and carried out with minimal ‘noise and disruption’ to the surrounding area.
