Hackney, London
Design Principles (left to right): Hard landscaping, Soft Landscaping, Play, Furniture and Structures.
| Type | Regeneration |
|---|---|
| Location | London Borough of Hackney |
| Scale | 0.35 ha (3,500sqm) Landscape improvements to streetscape and residential courtyard |
| Client | Guildmore, Hackney Council |
|---|---|
| Partners | HHBR, Peter Deer and Associates, WBD Group |
| Status | On-site |
| RIBA Stages | 3-7 |
Ambition
The brief from Hackney Housing was to create proposals that were sensitive and respectful to the existing estate. Importance was also placed on the management and maintenance of the spaces to ensure they endure and thrive.
Frampton Estate
The design creates a community courtyard from an underused space with little amenity value. It extends and activates the adjacent streetscape to encourage both existing and new residents to use the landscape.
Lyttleton Estate
The current Lyttleton streetscape is characterised by existing garages, refuse stores and mostly hard landscape. The vision for the Lyttleton streetscape is to create a legible, safe and green route along Cambridge Passage, improving North-South connection and access.
Impact
Welcoming Use
By encouraging use through sensitive development, the community can reclaim the space and enjoy new opportunities for socialising, play and relaxation in an ecologically rich setting.
Approach
Connecting Residents with Nature
The soft landscape within the Frampton courtyard is natural and seasonal, providing an important connection to nature for residents. Meadow and native hedges are proposed, encouraging exploration and discovery as well as promoting biodiversity.
A Multi-functional and Intimate Landscape
More intimate pockets of space are defined by playful timber sleepers that follow the grid layout of the courtyard. These smaller spaces create opportunities for socialising or quiet relaxation, whilst large areas of lawn can be used for free play.
A More Inspiring Streetscape
Improved permeability and quality will be brought to the Lyttleton streetscape through clean lines and a simplified hard materials palette.
Reducing the road width creates a larger pedestrian area separate from the street with space for trees, planting and seating. A specimen tree acts as a focal point, cohering the entrances of existing and new buildings. Sustainable drainage and a green edge will be created through a series of rain gardens.
The revised designs were discussed with the Hackney Housing Team, the Tenant and Resident Association for Frampton Park Road Estate, and Secure by Design.
