Hackney Design Awards

Gainsborough Community Primary School

Redesign of the school forecourt to this Grade II listed Victorian school to create a coherent, legible and welcoming entrance landscape, where pedestrians are prioritised in a greener and more sociable environment.

The Fisheries

Mixed-use scheme providing 31 residential units and 24,000 sq ft of commercial space designed for co-working with a distinctive brick plinth and black mesh shroud to the upper part of the building.

Part of the Council’s ambitious house building programme, the scheme provides 4 residential units for social rent, funded by 3 private sale residential units in a modern terrace vernacular.

Judges’ comments

The Aikin Villas are an excellent example for high-quality Council developed housing.

The building’s proportions maintain the urban identity of the surrounding Victorian terraces but inventive spatial moves create a very successful, new house typology working with tight space standards.

The units are only 3.5m wide but create a sense of luxury. The simple materials palette is delightful and the turning of the corner is cleverly resolved with a diagonal high-level bay – overlooking the streets in both directions.

The judges felt that the inhabitable bay windows of the kitchens at the front together with the entrance sequence and an inbuilt external bench are very special – creating a strong connection to the neighbourhood, supporting social interactions and enlivening the street.

New build, wide beam narrowboat crowned with an innovative pop-up roof, the project is conceived as a modern-day mission to develop links with communities living close to the canal, as well as the flexibility to accommodate an array of activities.

Judges’ comments

This lovely, innovative project demonstrates the value of community involvement in inclusive architecture and design Planned for a broad range of activities, the Floating Church is there serve the whole community as a whole, regardless of religion or cultural background: from parent and toddler groups to pop-up art galleries, youth group meetings and supper clubs.

Commissioned by the London Diocese, the interiors are simple and elegant, without religious symbols or artefacts.

With the creative attitude towards inclusivity and ease of accessibility, the architects and clients have responded generously, providing an environment which is welcoming to all.

Extension to the existing church rooms of the Grade II* listed Victorian church to create a welcoming centre around a quiet courtyard with a large multi-purpose hall for various activities and events.

Judges’ comments

A clever and sensitive response to a challenging brief, the new centre at St Mary Stoke Newington extends and transforms this complex of church buildings.

This transformational scheme combines two churches on either side of Church Street in the vibrant and multicultural Clissold Park Conservation Area: an “old” mid-16th century and the “new” 1856 church by Sir George Gilbert Scott. Retaining and re-using the existing steel structure of 1996, the architects and design team recognise the importance of sustainability.

The new façade emphasises the grand scale of the volume; set against views towards the stained glass vestry window this combination creates a series of welcoming, inclusive and intimate spaces.

Joint venture between the LEAP Federation of Schools and the charity Chefs in Schools, which together are working to improve food education and nutrition in some of the most deprived communities.

Judges’ comments

The Hackney School of Food is an exemplary project that could be replicated widely.

An inspired joint venture between three Hackney primary schools and the charity Chefs in Schools, the project establishes a food education hub at Mandeville Primary School to benefit pupils and the wider community.

Designed by dynamic duo Surman Weston, the project transformed an abandoned caretaker’s cottage, removing the first floor and inserting a large window to create a double-height, light-filled educational kitchen.

The practice worked with landscape designer Lidia D’Agostino to create the kitchen gardens and with illustrator Jean Jullien on a mural to the previously blank streetscape.

The judges recognised that Surman Weston has created maximum impact with minimal resources, demonstrating the type of incremental change we need for our cities to become more sustainable, connected and joyful.

Public space designed and built by local young people aged 10 – 21.

The initiative aimed to give young people a say over local development and create a truly inclusive public space to be enjoyed by all.

Judges’ comments

The judges were impressed with the project achieving all of its initial objectives: Namely bringing people together and giving young people genuine power in shaping and changing their community.

Young people had a voice here and helped to design and build the space. The process of the creation of this new public space is very special, but the physical result of the transformation of a neglected thoroughfare into a truly inclusive space for the community is also wonderful.

It incorporates delightful moments and details within its limited scope. For example, the varying seat heights for a diversity of users, swings for two and the tree-like structures arranged in a large circle. More of this please.

Refurbishment and extension of the existing workshop in lightweight timber frame construction and simple palette of materials.

Judges’ comments

Located in the vibrant arts and commercial quarter of Broadway market, this inventive project is a model of architecture as a catalyst for urban and cultural regeneration.

The scheme consists of the inventive refurbishment of dilapidated ground floor workshop and a first-floor extension, to create a new home and workspace for the artist client, a long-standing member of the diverse Broadway Market community of artists.

The architecture of the building reflects the architects’ ingenuity in designing a series of flexible and inspirational spaces, both as a comfortable home and also as a working environment.

This project is very positive contribution to the post-pandemic era and the future architecture of the “different normal”.

Transformation of a self-build terraced house for a couple into a four-person family home and office using a thorough sustainability strategy of circular retrofit, post-occupancy energy monitoring and a palette of 100% responsibly sourced timber.

Judges’ comments

Three rooms under a new roof’ project is an extension of a two bedroomed home built in 2005, uniting the new and old into a three-bedroomed home and an office in 2019.

The use of birch ply, stressed-skin technology and traditional timber construction created a space that is uplifting, light and airy and aspirational towards net zero carbon design.

The sustainability strategy included a circular economy retrofit, post-occupancy energy monitoring and a palette of 100 per cent responsibly sourced timber.

The new lattice roof not only adds verticality and daylight light via glazed rooflights, but also enables passive ventilation.

Community-led project linking the Narroway with St John-at-Hackney Church and churchyard to provide a community hall, hall for the local scouts and 58 new homes.

Judges’ comments

Connecting the Medieval high street of central Hackney to the eighteenth-century church and landscaped gardens of St Johns, this mixed-use development has opened up a back land garden and re-instated a forgotten back lane connectivity.

The new community uses congregate around an attractive pedestrian public square which the judges hope will not be gated, despite the overuse of fencing and retractable barriers.

Many of the mature trees of the original gardens have been retained, and the new development has a relaxed and contextual manner.

It fits comfortably into its position at the heart of this sensitive conservation area and amongst Hackney Central’s most cherished heritage buildings.

The judges were impressed by the restrained and elegant brickwork but were less convinced by the brass cladding fronting the scout’s hall and penthouse roof apartments.

Refurbishment and extension of 1980s office building using high-quality materials and finishes and incorporating improved internal layouts.

Judges’ comments

This project is an exemplar for reuse of an existing building.   Introducing high-quality materials and craftsmanship with a simple and handsome palette, the project has transformed an undistinguished 1980s office building.

Shepherdess Walk has long been an outrider for the hipper elements of the  Shoreditch design and tech community, and  Wenlock Works holds its southern end as more of a backdrop than an iconic architectural statement.

Through extension, remodelling and recladding the building’s relationship to its surroundings has been uplifted, notably at street and pavement level.

Judges’ comments

Mixed-use project which combines a courtyard school accommodating 350 pupils aged 4 – 11 and a residential point block containing 68 apartments, including a number of affordable homes.

Judges’ comments

Standing at a key intersection of London’s oldest Roman road, HNS  is a  fusion of two distinct building types, the housing tower and a courtyard school.

Standing upright and alert facing all approaches, like a  bird protecting its nest, the housing is artfully fashioned with a refined brutalist expression.

The judges were impressed by the balance of uses, the crafted architecture and skilled construction; even the smallest detail (the rainwater pipes, the seat for waiting parents, the coffered colonnades) have been carefully designed, placed and constructed.

The competing parts reflect a complex and ambitious brief, but they are balanced and in conversation, characterised by rigour and joyful spaces.  This is noteworthy architecture of which Hackney should be proud.

Public space designed and built by local young people aged 10 – 21.

The initiative aimed to give young people a say over local development and create a truly inclusive public space to be enjoyed by all.

Judges’ comments

A slack street edge to Flanders Way has been activated by a scheme devised and delivered by local young people.

Led by the Build Up Foundation – which runs practical construction projects to equip ‘young people with the skills to become the change-makers of tomorrow’ – the Hackney project was collaboratively realised over six months with a 20-strong team of 10-21-year-olds.

The jury enjoyed the hands-on approach these young citizens took to changing their patch of city, and the legacy they have made for future residents – of all ages – to come together and connect with nature and each other.

Joint venture between the LEAP Federation of Schools and the charity Chefs in Schools, which together are working to improve food education and nutrition in some of the most deprived communities.

Judges’ comments

The Hackney School of Food stood out in the inclusivity category with its integrative approach to the design and programming of this food education hub.

Hackney School of Food is for all primary schools across the borough. The kitchen has height-adjustable cooking and washing stations so that it can be used by adults, children and those with different needs.

The kitchen gardens bring the local community together, creating a space where children can learn how their food is grown alongside productive gardens for local residents.

The kitchen is large enough to cater for large events, so the outdoor entertaining space can host parties and banquets. After a period of tedious lockdown, let us hope the Hackney School of Food will put this capability to good use with a fabulous shindig to celebrate its double win in the Hackney Design Awards.

Well done the client and architects for such an enchanting scheme.

New build, wide beam narrowboat crowned with an innovative pop-up roof, the project is conceived as a modern-day mission to develop links with communities living close to the canal, as well as the flexibility to accommodate an array of activities.

Judges’ comments

Could there be a more delightful project than a place of worship on a canal boat?

Designed by Denizen Works for the Diocese of London, this new, wide-beam narrowboat – named Genesis – will use the canal networks of East London to forge new connections with growing neighbourhoods at key regeneration sites, including Sweetwater, Eastwick and Hackney Wick.

Developed in close collaboration with Turks Shipyard and naval architect Tony Tucker, Genesis is fully wheelchair accessible.

The boat’s cleverly designed interior not only offers a configuration for church services, but can accommodate a gamut of inclusive community activities, from toddler groups, pilates classes and interfaith celebrations to sit-down meals, live music, employment training and counselling.

The scheme is inclusive in the architectural sense of being accessible to all; and also in a larger sense of not only welcoming the Christian faith, but those with any faith or no faith; and for its swashbuckling, proactive approach to reaching new communities.

Transformation of a self-build terraced house for a couple into a four-person family home and office using a thorough sustainability strategy of circular retrofit, post-occupancy energy monitoring and a palette of 100% responsibly sourced timber.

Judges’ comments

Three rooms under a new roof’ project is an extension of a two bedroomed home built in 2005, uniting the new and old into a three-bedroomed home and an office in 2019.

The use of birch ply, stressed-skin technology and traditional timber construction created a space that is uplifting, light and airy and aspirational towards net zero carbon design.

The sustainability strategy included a circular economy retrofit, post-occupancy energy monitoring and a palette of 100 per cent responsibly sourced timber.

The new lattice roof not only adds verticality and daylight light via glazed rooflights, but also enables passive ventilation.”

Low energy house adjacent to the Grade II listed Clapton Library, certified to Passivhaus standards and conceived as a prototype for urban infill affordable sustainable homes.

Judges’ comments

The Library House, completed in 2020, is a low energy house which sits in a compact plot with a secluded walled garden.

It was designed and constructed to meet the AECB Building Standard (Association of Environment Conscious Building, based on the Passivhaus Standard and formerly known as the ‘Silver Standard’) far beyond the current requirements of UK Building Regulations and conceived in principle as a prototype for urban infill affordable sustainable homes.

The construction uses a well-insulated external building fabric, triple glazing, solar PV systems and a whole-house mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery (MVHR) system.

Scheme providing 5000 sqm of flexible workspace over 6 storeys in the heart of Haggerston, designed with the whole life carbon footprint of the building in mind.

Judges’ comments

This is a commercial building, consisting of flexible and customisable private offices, shared workspaces, bookable meeting rooms and a café area with locally-sourced healthy food.

The construction uses Cross Laminated Timber (CLT). The design of the building is based around the principles of reduce, reuse, recycle, and during use, is committed to achieving 0% waste to landfill.

Offcuts from the building have been repurposed to make furniture. Natural light comes into the spaces via the floor-to-ceiling glazing that faces the canal side.

The building also incorporates a variety of facilities to support cyclists.

Refurbishment and alteration of the Grade II listed 17th-century former almshouses to adapt them for use as high-quality residential units.

Judges’ comments

This is a sensitive scheme, which, despite the insertion of new stairs and rooflights and the creation of a mezzanine in the chapel, manages to retain the feel of the existing building and maintain it in a use very close to its original as almshouses.

The building had been falling into disrepair, but has been removed from the Historic England Heritage at Risk Register as a result of this project.

The judges were very taken with the quiet understatement of the conversion works, and with the light and attractive living spaces created by the design, which, despite the historic context, does not shy away from using simple, modern detailing.

Conservation and refurbishment of the historically important facades, involving sympathetic repairs of the Portland stone dressings, gauged brick arches and handmade brickwork.

Judges’ comments

The judges were very impressed with this project which sought to preserve the high quality detailing on a 19th-century school building.

The contractor carried out a range of conservation repair techniques to stone detailing, handmade bricks and roof structures.

Of particular note was the wholesale replacement of the decorative stucco panels to the gables, faithfully reproduced from templates of the dilapidated originals.

The results showcase the skill of craftspeople in the modern construction industry, and LB Hackney are also to be commended for taking such care of their own building, and demonstrating so clearly, to the school community that use it, the value and splendour of historic fabric.

Repair project to the west facade of the 1740  Grade I listed church, addressing stone decay, fixing the portico roof and restoring the glass-faced clocks to create a more welcoming and inviting appearance.

Judges’ comments

The careful and conservative repair of the west façade of this Grade I listed church is highly commended by the judges as a great example of the ‘touch lightly’ approach to historic building conservation.

The building is one of the oldest buildings in Shoreditch and very prominent in Hackney with its 192ft tall steeple.

The works will help to remove the church from the Historic England Heritage at Risk Register, and involved the rectification of problems resulting from previous regimes of repair, as well as the effects of time and weather.

The judges were impressed by the amount of original material that the project team were able to retain by their painstaking process of investigation and design of repairs.

Extension to the existing church rooms of the Grade II* listed Victorian church to create a welcoming centre around a quiet courtyard with a large multi-purpose hall for various activities and events.

Judges’ comments

This project, to replace the mid-1990s church rooms adjacent to a Grade II* George Gilbert Scott church, impressed the judges with its innovative appearance that they felt enhanced its designated setting.

They were also appreciative of the sustainable credentials of the design which reused the existing steel structure of the 1996 building, and the external design which is careful not to obscure important views of the listed church.

Elsie Owusu OBE is a Ghanaian-British architect, urban planner, conservationist and founding chair of the Society of Black Architects.

Elsie’s past projects include the roles of co-lead architect on UK Supreme Court and London’s Green Park Station. Current projects include, Guest Artists’ Space, an arts complex in Lagos for the eminent artist Yinka Shonibare CBE- and passiv-eco homes in Sussex.

A runner-up for RIBA President in 2018, she was re-elected to RIBA National Council.

In 2003, she was honoured by the Queen for services to architecture.

Clare Charlesworth is a qualified architect who worked in both private practice and public sector before joining Historic England (formerly English Heritage) in 2003.

Clare initially worked as a historic buildings architect for the organisation, before moving into the role of Principal Principal Heritage at Risk Adviser for the South East.

In 2019, following the amalgamation of the London and South East Regions, Clare became Head of Region, and now leads a group of four multi-disciplinary teams of heritage professionals focusing on forming partnerships and engaging communities in order to ensure that the historic environment is at the fore in making great places in which people love to live and work.

Louise is an architect specialising in heritage, urban development and education and is Director of Cazenove Architects, a practice focusing on public and community development.

She is a History graduate from York University and a Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Conservation architect, qualifying at the Bartlett (1990).

Louise has chaired and contributed to many design reviews in London and south east England.

A chair of the South East Design Panel and Chair of the Hackney Design Review Panel, she has run stakeholder workshops in conservation areas, and for housing design committee workshops.

On the Steering Committee for Hackney Town Centre, Louise is a RIBA Client Design Advisor and is a specialist in community and education architecture.

Will is the Founder of the London School of Architecture and is currently the school’s Chief Executive.

He was previously the executive editor of The Architectural Review and editor of the monthly magazines of The Architects’ Journal and Building Design.

Trained as an architect at the Bartlett, UCL, and at the Royal College of Art, he has taught architecture at both London Metropolitan University and the RCA. Will has judged numerous competitions, including the Global Architecture Graduate Awards and the RIBA President’s Medals.

He is a fellow of the Legatum Institute and a founding Board member of Fast Forward 2030, which is part of the Institute for Global Prosperity.

Sumita is an award-winning architect, academic and author with her own design practice, Eco=logic.

Sumita’s awards include the UIA:UNESCO International design award, Women In Business award and Atkins Inspire award. She was included in an exhibition about the 28 women who had made a difference to the life and culture of Britain.

Sumita set up Architects For Change, the Equality forum at RIBA and is past Chair of Women In Architecture. Sumita has served on many RIBA committees for over 25 years.

She is a non-executive Director of Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. Sumita is a trustee of Architects Benevolent Society and Commonwealth Association of Architects.

She is the founding director of Charushila, an international design charity for community projects. Sumita has taught architecture in the UK and abroad.

She is a popular speaker on architecture. Sumita is the author of several books, including Autotelic Architect and Women In Architecture.

Cordula Weisser is a co-founding director of ZCD Architects. Projects in the practice range from community engagement and urban design to the design and delivery of award-winning buildings.

Extensive research into child-friendly cities means ZCD are leading UK experts, influencing policy nationally and in London.

Alongside her role in the practice, Cordula has taught at universities across the UK for the last 20 years with a focus on the potential of architecture to drive social sustainability.

She is an academic critic and gives expert advice to design review panels.

Part of the Council’s ambitious house building programme, the scheme provides 4 residential units for social rent, funded by 3 private sale residential units in a modern terrace vernacular.

Refurbishment and alteration of the Grade II listed 17th century former almshouses to adapt them for use as high-quality residential units.

Refurbishment and extension of the existing workshop in lightweight timber frame construction and simple palette of materials.

Refurbishment of existing shop and duplex flat above with new rear extension in a distinctive vaulted form and simple palette of materials.

580m2 public space designed and built by local young people aged 10 – 21.

The initiative aimed to give young people a say over local development and create a truly inclusive public space.

Refurbishment and extension of a former Victorian pub in the Kingsland Conservation Area to form a key part of the Grade I listed campus belonging to the Museum of the Home.

Small public-realm community project, the parklet is an oasis of colour and bio-diversity that is accessible for all to enjoy.

Contemporary rear extension to Victorian terraced house with minimalist and brutalist influences, the scheme was designed with a growing family in mind.

Contemporary rear extension and garden studio to Victorian semi-detached property, built using natural materials.

Community-led project linking the Narroway with St John-at-Hackney Church and churchyard to provide a community hall, hall for the local scouts and 58 new homes.

Mixed-use project in the Kingsland Conservation Area, which combines two building types – a courtyard school accommodating 350 pupils aged 4 – 11 and a residential point block containing 68 apartments, including a number of affordable housing units.

Joint venture between the LEAP Federation of Schools and the charity Chefs in Schools, which together are working to improve food education and nutrition in some of the most deprived communities.

Extension and refurbishment of Grade II listed former convent dating from 1809, including the removal of unsympathetic later additions and repair and restoration of period details.

Mid terrace two-storey roof extension comprising a series of duplex apartments, loggia balconies and facade remodelling of the existing building.

Part of the Council’s broader estate regeneration programme, the scheme provides 32 residential units (including 17 for social rent) and aims to create a focal point and new architectural style that references nearby Victorian terraces.

Scheme providing 5000 sqm of flexible workspace over 6 storeys in the heart of Haggerston, designed with the whole life carbon footprint of the building in mind.

Refurbishment and extension of former Victorian tea warehouse to provide over 11,000 sq ft of flexible commercial workspace, with stripped back interiors and exposed historical features.

Conservation and refurbishment of the historically important facades, involving sympathetic repairs of the Portland stone dressings, gauged brick arches and handmade brickwork.

Repair project to the west facade of the 1740  Grade I listed church, addressing stone decay, fixing the portico roof and restoring the glass-faced clocks to create a more welcoming and inviting appearance.

Mixed tenure residential scheme comprising 71 new homes for the Council and Countryside Properties, designed with a collegiate feel to complement the site’s historical context.

Extension to the existing church rooms of the Grade II* listed Victorian church to create a welcoming centre around a quiet courtyard with a large multi-purpose hall for various activities and events.

With limited budget, the library has designed, updated and positioned new signage using colour coding to enhance the look of the space and improve the way customers engage with the stock, particularly those who are visually impaired or suffering from dementia.

Mixed-use scheme providing 31 residential units and 24,000 sq ft of commercial space designed for co-working with a distinctive brick plinth and black mesh shroud to the upper part of the building.

New build, wide beam narrowboat crowned with an innovative pop-up roof, the project is conceived as a modern-day mission to develop links with communities living close to the canal, as well as the flexibility to accommodate an array of activities.

Low energy house adjacent to the Grade II listed Clapton Library, certified to Passivhaus standards and conceived as a prototype for urban infill affordable sustainable homes.

Contemporary rear extension to Victorian terraced house with an internal courtyard, influenced by Japanese Tsubo Niwa design.

Transformation of a self-build terraced house for a couple into a four-person family home and office using a thorough sustainability strategy of circular retrofit, post-occupancy energy monitoring and a palette of 100% responsibly sourced timber.

Refurbishment and extension of 1980s office building using high-quality materials and finishes and incorporating improved internal layouts.

Part of the Council’s ambitious house building programme, the scheme provides 4 residential units for social rent, funded by 3 private sale residential units in a modern terrace vernacular.

Public space designed and built by local young people aged 10 – 21.

The initiative aimed to give young people a say over local development and create a truly inclusive public space to be enjoyed by all.

Refurbishment of an existing play area from a hard, underused space into a fully playable landscape, which aims to actively increase its use and help combat childhood obesity and inactivity in the local area.

Redesign of the school forecourt to this Grade II listed Victorian school to create a coherent, legible and welcoming entrance landscape, where pedestrians are prioritised in a greener and more sociable environment.

Mixed-use project which combines a courtyard school accommodating 350 pupils aged 4 – 11 and a residential point block containing 68 apartments, including a number of affordable homes.

Joint venture between the LEAP Federation of Schools and the charity Chefs in Schools, which together are working to improve food education and nutrition in some of the most deprived communities.

The Council’s pioneering scheme to transform roads outside schools so that only pedestrians and cyclists can use them at school start and finish times, creating a more pleasant environment for everyone and making it easier and safer to walk to school.

Part of the Council’s estate regeneration programme, this residential scheme provides 32 new homes with a landscaped courtyard for the community.

Mixed-use scheme comprising the delivery of 175 new homes, a school, commercial gallery space and a new public space.