Hackney Gardens, Hackney - Thornsett with DLA Architecture

Where is the project located
Lower Clapton Road, London E5 0PD
 
Who is the developer/client of the project?
Thornsett
 
Who is on the project team? 
DLA ArchitectureJ J Rhatigan - Contractor

Describe the context of this project, its neighbourhood and people?

Hackney Gardens is a new collection of buildings comprising community space and housing in Hackney. The £21 million project is public-private partnership between, developer, Thornsett, The London Diocesan Fund (LDF) and The Parochial Church Council (PCC) of St John at Hackney.

The unique place is designed around the existing Grade I listed St Augustine Tower and the Grade II* listed St John at Hackney Church. The Church was in a poor state of repair and urgently required refurbishment at substantial cost. A significant proportion of these costs were covered by proceeds raised by the development.

The design of Hackney Gardens was developed in response to the Local Authority Area Action Plan and provides engaging new community spaces alongside 58 affordable homes. New provisions include a community/hub space and Scouts facility in buildings situated around Prodigal Square, a new public space, with its focus being ‘The Prodigal Son’ statue by Charlie Mackesy.

The new place was developed through consultation with LB Hackney, Historic England, Conservation Area Advisory Committee (CAAC), local heritage groups, Scouts, local residents, church congregation, local businesses groups and other stakeholders within the community.

The main challenge for this project was in designing a contemporary development within the direct setting of a Grade 1 Listed Tower, a Grade II Listed Church and a Grade II Listed wall in a setting considered by the planning department to be one of the most precious in the borough.

The project received planning consent in May 2014 and was completed in summer 2021.

What makes this place thrive? How does the community come together? What makes this a great place to live, work, play, visit or learn?

This community driven scheme provides 58 dwellings, engaging public realm with strong narrative and historic context, a flexible community hub that can be used throughout the year for a wide range of activities, and scouts’ facilities.

The buildings are situated around a series of hard and soft landscaped squares and set out to suit the axes of the church. The urban square to the north links through to Mare Street by a new passageway and views of the church open up as you approach the square.

This inspiring public space brings people together through the new community hall which has folding doors along most of one side of the square – literally inviting the public to join in. Below the new community hall is a Scout headquarters and there is also a space purpose designed for a new children’s nursery.

The new square connects through for the first time to Hackney’s main High Street (Mare Street) creating a new link between the communities to the east of the town centre, and the west, connecting the green spaces of St John at Hackney park space as well as the church itself.

The position of the existing mature trees and the natural urban grain are key drivers along with a requirement for improved natural surveillance and maintaining key views through the site.

How has this place adapted, and how does it continue to adapt, to changing demographics, behaviours, market context, policy, transport habits and the climate crisis? What makes it resilient?

The community spaces and square inclusive design aims to cater and be accessible to the wider public of all ages and backgrounds throughout the year. It is envisaged to be the heart of the scheme attracting and bringing in vitality and activity to the locality. The site sits within an urban context whilst being also set back from the hustle and bustle of Mare Street. This makes it a perfect location for residents at different stages of their lives, be it young professionals or retired households. This diversity is key for a rich and healthy new community.

The development replaced a series of small derelict underused buildings

The site ecological value is improved due to natural systems extensively implemented.

Passive design principles enable comfortable indoor conditions relying only on natural ventilation and highly efficient thermal envelope.

Intensive and extensive green roofs, birds and bats boxes and a pond improve the local biodiversity.

Approximately 6% of the building’s energy will come from solar panels and systems installed to encourage water conservation Residential homes aimed to achieve a Level 4 Code for Sustainable, and BREEAM Excellent for community facilities. However, at the heart of this project is the local community.

. The entire development is car free, except for car parking for 2 Blue Badge holders, since the site is located in the town centre and very close to various forms of public transport.

Please share any data or evidence about the social, economic and environmental performance of this place?

This video ( we.tl/t-hneLkWpd5i) explains in the words of residents how their new home has made a difference to them.

The scheme was developed through early consultation and engagement with local residents, groups and businesses through a series of consultations to give everyone a chance to have a say in shaping the area they live in. This is key to create places for people to enjoy and thrive in where social and economic growth can be optimised.

Each home has been designed individually to match the differing needs of residents and their affordability. This is a departure from the standard practice for many developers to design all their apartments the same in order ‘to cut cost’ and ultimately produce bland places to live. This was not a driver for the development plan at Hackney Gardens where nearly every home has a unique element and identity of its own.

The development provides 15% affordable houses including homes for church workers as well as those for private sale. A prerequisite for the development programme was for part of the capital receipt going towards the much-needed refurbishment of the connected St John at Hackney Church. This church is key asset to the local community. It provides community outreach programmes for all, supporting non-religious community needs including counselling, children’s nursery, exhibitions and music concerts as well as those families living with drug addiction and AIDS.