Kings Crescent
We have received planning permission for the final phase of our work on the award-winning Kings Crescent development. The project is a joint collaboration with Karakusevic Carson Architects and muf architecture/art on Stoke Newington’s Kings Crescent Estate. It comprises of two phases: phase 1 & 2 and phase 3 & 4. In the first two phases we completed a total of 273 homes. Phases 3 and 4, will involve Henley Halebrown designing 93 new build units and 174 refurbished homes.
The New York Times has suggested that the approach adopted at the North London development could be an answer to the housing crisis. We certainly see our work at Kings Crescent, that wholeheartedly embraces the combination of adaptive reuse with new build, as driven by both environmental and social sustainability. Architect Dan Marmot, Associate at Henley Halebrown, reflects on the practice’s design ethos on the project,
"The egalitarian ambition of the regeneration is reflected in our designs, with a shared architectural language of galleries and loggias uniting old and new buildings. Our work will ensure the long established community can stay together, transforms living conditions for existing residents, prolongs the life of the built fabric and creates attractive new housing. Developed through an iterative design process with residents, our proposals will re-integrate The Estate back into city, avoiding the cycle of demolition and rebuild that typifies large-scale estate regeneration projects."
Our proposals also allow people to expand their living space outdoors by creating new external balconies for every home. Together with Karakusevic Carson Architects, we have also worked with muf who have played an important role in creating a shared public realm for The Estate that unites residents.
Ajman Ali, Acting Group Director, Neighbourhoods and Housing describes the Council’s approach,
"We believe that Council housing should be just as good as any other housing, and that whether you rent or buy, you can expect a modern, high-quality home that you can afford. I’m proud that we’re putting these values into practice, working together with local people to invest in a new generation of social housing. There will also be a new public square, community facilities and affordable workspace in this next phase."
The housing programme at Kings Crescent is not-for-profit, with homes for outright sale subsidising new social housing in the absence of meaningful government funding for Council housing. It is worth noting that the design team have ensured that careful consideration is given to the construction process, so that existing residents can remain in their homes throughout the works.
Hackney Council’s Housing Programme
-Hackney is building. Around 2,000 homes will be started or completed across the borough by Hackney Council between 2018 and 2022, with more than half for genuinely affordable social rent and shared ownership. Local people always have first dibs on these new homes – with Council homes allocated to residents whose homes have been demolished, tenants in housing need nearby, or homeless families on the housing waiting list.
-Hackney Council acts as its own developer, on its own land, and manages homes itself, regardless of tenure.
Community Engagement
-The design team have continued to work incredibly closely with the community to shape the design. Kings Crescent Phases 3&4 builds upon Post-Occupancy feedback from the first two phases of the masterplan and community engagement events as part of a ‘Lessons Learned’ programme to ensure residents are positively impacted by the transformation of their neighbourhood.
- The design of the central courtyard is the product of engagement events with young people, and their requests for the inclusion of more sporty spaces within the estate.
