Tower Court, London Borough of Hackney for Hackney Council and Countryside Properties with Adam Khan Architects and muf architecture/art

The Tower Court development comprises 132 modern, mixed-tenure homes, including 36 for social rent, 16 for shared ownership and 80 sold outright to fund the project. Social rent homes prioritise returning and local residents in need, while shared ownership supports those in Hackney who can’t afford to buy outright but don’t qualify for social housing. The buildings are arranged around courtyards with swales and uniquely designed playable bridges, enhancing community engagement and outdoor play.

Who is on the project? 

Client - Hackney Council

Developer - Countryside Properties

Main Consultant & Lead Architect -  Adam Khan Architects

Collaborating Architects - muf architecture/art

Executive Architect - Child Graddon Lewis

Describe the social and environmental context of this project, its neighbourhood and people. What is the purpose of the building? How does this building make an impact in its community?

Tower Court sits in a busy, culturally diverse neighbourhood that is home to Europe’s largest Haredi community. A Hackney Council owned scheme that provides 132 high-quality, modern mixed tenure homes for social rent, shared ownership and sale, for this community and others. Tight site constraints and complex social issues were the spur for rigorous site analysis and deep community engagement., which allowed for a set of conversations between and amongst communities that continued throughout the design process. This led to innovate best practice across the design process, landscape and architecture, to develop homes that are highly specific to people and place. In a synthesis of architecture and landscape, buildings flex around retained mature trees and open out onto Clapton Common. The constraint of root protection is used to establish a deep hedge border and make a dignified clarification of public and private territories, which feel open and welcoming. The public realm is intensively shaped as a place of play and social encounter, with a series of nine bespoke play bridges spanning the swales of the sustainable drainage, and extending into the entrance lobbies. The inflected geometry of the buildings improves internal qualities of daylight, views and aspect, but also shapes the courtyards as comfortable, spatially interesting, outdoor rooms. A tenure blind scheme, with each courtyard a mix of tenure type and unit sizes, creates the foundations for an integrated community. It is a model for high density family living, suitable for the changing and diverse needs of contemporary London.

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

A vigorous collaboration between architects sees the public realm permeate throughout, giving generous shared spaces with a civic character that enables residents to meet, interact and live well together, and build a sense of community. Outdoor spaces are treated with as much thought and care as internal spaces. All communal entrances are located with the front door to the shared courtyards and overlooked by the homes across the courtyard. Thresholds between public and private have been carefully designed to provide privacy within a dense development, whilst maintaining high quality shared amenity. Entrance spaces are generously proportioned allowing people to manoeuvre with shopping or prams, and for wheelchair users to move with ease. The large number of children anticipated in the homes are welcomed through the inclusion of an exploratory urban landscape, where children are encouraged to explore all of the courtyards which are deliberately designed to feel full of wonder, safe and overlooked. A series of playable bridges, colourful metal play frames, and timber and stone variations are sited in the garden landscape to create play opportunities, across the rain gardens running the length of each courtyard, and social spaces for older children and adults. All from a material palette that is shared with the buildings.

Please share any data or evidence about the social, economic and environmental performance of this place, or any relevant figures such as footfall, visitors, engagement metrics, residents, etc. 

The New London Plan has set out an ambition to deliver well-planned and managed green infrastructure to help the city stay healthy and livable. Places like The Paddock nature reserve provide significant value to communities, and it is vital that they are safe, accessible, and valued. Prior to the regeneration of Hale Wharf, The Paddock had been in a state of disrepair, with the Conservation Volunteers appointed to take over management in 2020. The delivery of a new pedestrian bridge directly to The Paddock, created opportunities for further investments as part of the regeneration with significant upgrades to The Paddock, including the removal of Japanese Knotweed, enhancements to the woodland habitat and the provision of an educational facility. The Engine Room opened in 2017 and serves an ever-expanding multi-cultural community with a church, community centre, café, and nursery. Muse supported The Engine Room throughout the Hale Wharf build including donating Christmas presents and sponsoring their Tottenham 10km run. Working with the North London Hospice and Wild in Art, Muse has brought the ‘Big Fun Art Adventure’ to Hale Wharf as part of a free owl art sculpture trail. Muse has bought their sponsored owl ‘Flora’ in partnership with Grainger PLC, so that she will have her forever home at Hale Wharf for residents to enjoy. Hale Wharf is also connected to the Lea Valley Energy Centre, which has achieved a 35% reduction in CO2 as part of a wider Energy Strategy which continues to contribute to Net Zero ambitions.