The NLA, in partnership with Southwark Council, are pleased to unveil the winning design stemming from their collaborative ‘Hope in the Square’ design competition. This competition feeds into Southwark Council’s flagship scheme to redevelop the wider site of Peckham Square. 

Launched in June 2025, this competition was open to designers, architects and creatives to propose a new design for a new garden-like area of Peckham Square, curating a safe, accessible and inclusive space for young people across the local area. 

Centred around celebrating the voices of local young people, this competition is in close ties with the Hope Collective, building on the legacy of Damilola Taylor and his family’s continued work in the local area through the Damilola Taylor Trust. 

From over 50 submissions, a shortlist of six designs was selected. A second round of judging proceeded with individuals from the local area, council, and sector professionals. Judging came alongside a public exhibition open to local residents, giving space to share their thoughts and feedback on the future of their local area and have a voice in shaping their local environment. 

Unveiled publicly yesterday at Mountview Theatre, Peckham Square, on the National Day of Hope (December 7th), Godfried Donkor and millimetre’s ‘The Garden of Hope’ was selected for its thoughtful celebration of local identity, meaningful engagement with underrepresented voices, and its sensitive approach to commemorating Damilola Taylor. 

Building on the rich symbolism of Adinkras and Ashanti culture, the winning project brings together the unique collaboration of artist Godfried Donkor, makers millimetre, and Kelly O’Reilly of Camberwell Arts. Over the coming months, the design will continue to evolve through co-design workshops, ensuring the community plays an active role in shaping a garden that both honours Damilola’s legacy and strengthens local connections. 

The team said, "We’re excited to receive this commission, and look forward to evolving our vision in partnership with local communities, creating a Garden of Hope that enriches the public realm, reflects the character and creativity of Peckham, and honours the legacy of Damilola Taylor. 

By offering a new take on traditional West African symbolism, we’re aiming to explore the concept of hope within a uniquely Peckham context.  We want to create a future focal point for art and storytelling, offering passers-by a place to slow down and tune in to their own place of creativity and all that this space represents.” 

The Area 

Designed in the 1990’s, Peckham Square forms a key part of the local area of Southwark. The redevelopment of the Square comes as part of the wider Southwark Stands Together flagship programme, creating a new civic space surrounded by local landmarks, including the Stirling Prize-winning Peckham Library. 

Architects have been appointed to develop designs for the wider project in close collaboration with the local community. The winning design of ‘Hope in the Square’ will become a permanent part of Peckham Square and is expected to be in place for a minimum of 15 – 20 years. 

After the public unveiling of the winning design on December 7th, the winning design team will now work closely with the local authorities and community to shape their design before installation, with planning application to be submitted in 2026.