Urban Peak's Mothership Honored in Design Awards

Urban Peak, a Denver-based nonprofit organization, has received recognition for its innovative integrated campus, The Mothership, which was designed by Shopworks Architecture. The campus, which received an honorable mention in the Fast Company Innovation by Design Awards for 2026, is a first-of-its-kind facility that combines a 24/7 emergency shelter, transitional housing, and a wide range of support services for youth experiencing homelessness.

The Mothership, located in Denver, is designed to provide a comprehensive ecosystem of services and support for youth ages 12 to 24. The campus offers strengths-based case management, year-round day services including meals, showers, storage, laundry, and recreational spaces, medical and behavioral health clinics, education and employment support, and creative therapeutic spaces. All these services are provided under one roof, creating a safe and respectful environment that honors the dignity and daily realities of its occupants.

Christina Carlson, CEO of Urban Peak, expressed that the recognition is a testament to the hard work and innovation of the team behind The Mothership.

The Innovation by Design Awards, now in its 15th year, celebrate the designers and businesses addressing today's most urgent challenges while anticipating the problems of tomorrow. The program is one of the most prestigious design competitions in the industry, spotlighting work that exemplifies originality, beauty, sustainability, user insight, cultural significance, and measurable business impact.

Shopworks Architecture, founded in Denver in 2012, has been at the forefront of creating life-affirming spaces through life-affirming processes. The firm's portfolio includes affordable and supportive housing developments, shelters, and social service settings. Shopworks continues to partner with community members in the cocreation of environments that seek to honor the dignity and daily realities of human life. A critical component of its design process is the exploration of trauma-informed and dignified design practices, which involve direct input from individuals with lived experience.

The award-winning campus, The Mothership, is a significant step forward in addressing the complex needs of youth experiencing homelessness. By integrating various services under one roof, the facility aims to provide a holistic approach to supporting young people in their journey towards stability and self-sufficiency. The recognition from Fast Company's Innovation by Design Awards underscores the importance of innovative design in creating environments that not only meet the physical needs of individuals but also address their emotional and psychological well-being.