Hackney Housing

27th Apr 2018

Hackney Housing: warehouse extension by architecture for london

This Hackney Housing scheme extends and renovates an early 20th century warehouse in east London

The building had previously been occupied by a joinery workshop and artists’ studios. Belsham Street is adjacent to Hackney Walk, a borough-led reinvention of the neighbourhood as a high-end retail destination.

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The perforated brass-clad rooftop extension creates four new flats above the existing building. The existing fabric will also be refurbished to provide a further 5 apartments, with improvements externally including new joinery and black-painted finishes.

Hackney housing: warehouse with architect designed roof extension in brass

The site’s context is relatively tough, with a variety of architectural styles, many buildings in a state of disrepair, and a lack of visual coherence and quality. The perforated brass cladding provides privacy and mediated views from the new units and is intended as a contemporary reinvention of the classic domestic privacy tool – the net curtain.

Hackney housing by Architecture for London - brass detail

The diamond pattern in the brass cladding continues into the rooftop residents’ garden. This green roof features planting set out in coloured diamonds and forms a fifth elevation that is readable from adjacent residential towers.

Hackney housing by Architecture for London - site plan

Project Architect:
Ben Ridley

Location:
Belsham Street, Hackney E9

Featured:
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Architects’ Journal