Culture House

Freehaus were appointed to lead the refurbishment of the Anti-Tribalism Movement’s community space in Shepherd’s Bush, supporting ATM’s mission to foster dialogue, empowerment and unity, locally and as part of a wider global conversation.

Culture House is the first permanent exhibition space dedicated to celebrating and promoting Somali culture and sharing the stories of the British Somali community. Through permanent and temporary exhibitions, poetry, oral histories, and educational workshops, the aim is to create a platform for cultural exchange and understanding

The design brief focused on creating a welcoming, adaptable environment to support a wide range of uses, from exhibitions and creative workshops to training sessions, community talks and informal gatherings. Working in close collaboration with the ATM team, Freehaus developed a series of flexible, responsive spaces that reflect the evolving needs of the community.

Both the gallery space and resource room were designed as multi-use environments, capable of seamlessly shifting between different activities. This approach ensures the space remains active and relevant, able to support the ATM’s dynamic programming and day-to-day operations without compromise.

Design decisions were shaped through ongoing dialogue and in-the-moment responsiveness throughout the design and construction process. The use of warm plaster finishes throughout was a decision finalised on site for its tactile, grounding quality. This material choice subtly references the textures and tones of East African landscapes, rooting the space in a quiet, yet powerful sense of identity and cultural heritage.

ATM’s work, spanning anti-tribalism advocacy, youth development and creative leadership, inspired a design ethos grounded in community values, belonging and expression. The refurbished space acts as a home-from-home for the local East African community, celebrating a rich legacy of art, literature and music while supporting the next generation of leaders and creators.

The project was delivered through close consultation with the ATM team and the refurbished space opened in May 2025 and now provides a vibrant platform for ATM’s expanding programme of community-led initiatives.

Tags: Community, Education, Culture

Early visualisations and colour studies

We held several intergenerational engagement events with the local community and end-users to establish the key defining design principles for the Culture House, using a combination of digital and analogue tools.