Materially, the façade is made of recycled resin and a concrete
compound called Acantha Papyrus. DROO created the particular
texture especially for this project, to be an echo of the building’s
story. The material is environmentally sustainable due to the
recycled content, and it is also extremely light, resistant to heat,
temperature, and weathering.
Ultimately the site was very challenging and tight. It borders
on Hackney college on one side, and the Kingsland Road terrace
conservation area on the other. Many sight lines had to be taken
into account, as well as ensuring the overall structure fit within the
neighbourhood. The sheer quantity of glazing and the very large
windows are skilfully incorporated to make sure that the sightlines
and privacy of both occupants and neighbours are protected.
The team endlessly pushed and pulled floorplates to produce an
articulated façade system that respects all of the conservation
constraints.
DROO’s design includes an extensive extension to the basement,
and into what was the rear carpark on the site. The building is an
extension of Victorian industrial warehouse so the geometry of the
original building lines extends along with the slabs of the extension,
and the bay window line extends to the perimeter of the site. This
allows for the solid façade itself to sit back, and thus for the existing
building to appear nestled into the far larger extension. The effect
is of a sensitive dialogue between the original and new structures,
rather than a hard division along the same plane.
DROO says “We sought to create layers of space within a thick façade
of projecting glazed bay windows, which hang like picture frames
on to the surrounding context. They create a dialogue between the
building’s past and future. The windows are both within and outside
the envelope concurrently and create an in-between space within
vast volumes, in which one may sit perched between the city and
interior.”
www.drooprojects.com
MANY SIGHT LINES HAD TO BE TAKEN
INTO ACCOUNT, AS WELL AS ENSURING
THE OVERALL STRUCTURE FIT WITHIN
THE NEIGHBOURHOOD.