Green Lanes, Hackney
Prior to regeneration, the 1960’s built Methodist church and nursery building in Hackney on this site, was in a state of disrepair. The vibrant church community was in desperate need of new, modern facilities to house their activities. A collaborative partnership was created between a residential developer and the parish creating an innovative and mutually viable model for the redevelopment of the site.
The development provides a new church, community facilities and a day nursery, together with the inclusion of thirty residential apartments, and was completed in January 2014. The design was conceived through collaboration with the church community.
A dramatic stone bay addresses the corner of the site.This element of the design is informed by the strong vertical volume and paired high level openings of a 19th Century Methodist church, which once stood on this site.
Detailing of the external envelope is carefully considered, combining a palette of portland stone, buff colour brick and defining zinc clad area at third floor. A dramatic portland stone bay to the front elevation punctuates the corner location with large openings. The design of the building is informed by the strong vertical volume of the original 19th century church, which once stood at the corner of the site.
The building steps down in scale from this point responding to the complex geometry of the site.
Landscaping designs were developed in tandem with the architecture of the building retaining the existing mature trees and defining the external gathering spaces and entrances to the church, nursery and residential units.
The new building is a focal point for the community and was realised through a collaborative design process with the church congregation and the local community. The community based ethos of the project is exemplified by the inclusion of a metal sculpture by a local artist commissioned by the congregation to introduce a symbolic feature to the front elevation.
The design of the sculpture was developed through a series of engaging workshops with the local community, based on the theme of ‘The Tree of Life’.
Inclsive design was a key requirement of the brief, epitomising the Methodist philosophy and introducing a public building with an inviting and welcoming presence to all members of the local and wider community.
A key feature is the inviting entrance foyer to the church and community hall accessed through the brick loggia, feeling open to both the landscaped entrance courtyard and the street beyond.
Community accommodation at ground floor includes the associated offices, kitchens and staff rooms, and offers a flexible, efficient arrangement whereby the different uses can share spaces, such as the hall and kitchen.
The church, community rooms and classrooms are generously proportioned, receiving large amounts of daylight and directly relating to landscaped external areas and defined play spaces respectively.
Thirty new apartments in a range of sizes occupy the upper six floors, each with generous private outdoor spaces. The expression of the openings to the facade are stacked vertically with balconies expressed as deeply recessed areas, introducing an order and appropriate scale to the building and the surrounding context.
Landscaped entrance courtyard area which leads to the main church entrance and sheltered colonnade area.
The apartments are designed to maximise the dramatic panoramic views across London and orientated to benefit from natural light and sustainable passive design principles.
Glazed winter garden area to one of the apartments.
View from an upper apartment with generous glazed openings and balcony space.
3d drawing of the overall scheme.
Prior to regeneration, the 1960’s built Methodist church and nursery building in Hackney on this site, was in a state of disrepair. The vibrant church community was in desperate need of new, modern facilities to house their activities. A collaborative partnership was created between a residential developer and the parish creating an innovative and mutually viable model for the redevelopment of the site.
The development provides a new church, community facilities and a day nursery, together with the inclusion of thirty residential apartments, and was completed in January 2014. The design was conceived through collaboration with the church community.
A dramatic stone bay addresses the corner of the site.This element of the design is informed by the strong vertical volume and paired high level openings of a 19th Century Methodist church, which once stood on this site.
Detailing of the external envelope is carefully considered, combining a palette of portland stone, buff colour brick and defining zinc clad area at third floor. A dramatic portland stone bay to the front elevation punctuates the corner location with large openings. The design of the building is informed by the strong vertical volume of the original 19th century church, which once stood at the corner of the site.
The building steps down in scale from this point responding to the complex geometry of the site.
Landscaping designs were developed in tandem with the architecture of the building retaining the existing mature trees and defining the external gathering spaces and entrances to the church, nursery and residential units.
The new building is a focal point for the community and was realised through a collaborative design process with the church congregation and the local community. The community based ethos of the project is exemplified by the inclusion of a metal sculpture by a local artist commissioned by the congregation to introduce a symbolic feature to the front elevation.
The design of the sculpture was developed through a series of engaging workshops with the local community, based on the theme of ‘The Tree of Life’.
Inclsive design was a key requirement of the brief, epitomising the Methodist philosophy and introducing a public building with an inviting and welcoming presence to all members of the local and wider community.
A key feature is the inviting entrance foyer to the church and community hall accessed through the brick loggia, feeling open to both the landscaped entrance courtyard and the street beyond.
Community accommodation at ground floor includes the associated offices, kitchens and staff rooms, and offers a flexible, efficient arrangement whereby the different uses can share spaces, such as the hall and kitchen.
The church, community rooms and classrooms are generously proportioned, receiving large amounts of daylight and directly relating to landscaped external areas and defined play spaces respectively.
Thirty new apartments in a range of sizes occupy the upper six floors, each with generous private outdoor spaces. The expression of the openings to the facade are stacked vertically with balconies expressed as deeply recessed areas, introducing an order and appropriate scale to the building and the surrounding context.
Landscaped entrance courtyard area which leads to the main church entrance and sheltered colonnade area.
The apartments are designed to maximise the dramatic panoramic views across London and orientated to benefit from natural light and sustainable passive design principles.
Glazed winter garden area to one of the apartments.
View from an upper apartment with generous glazed openings and balcony space.
3d drawing of the overall scheme.
