Blog

Mar 24, 2024

Henley Halebrown turns industrial terrace into creative studios in Hackney

London studio Henley Halebrown has completed a sensitive remodel of a 19th-century industrial terrace into a small campus of creative workspaces in Hackney, London. Located in the De Beauvoir Town

London studio Henley Halebrown has completed a sensitive remodel of a 19th-century industrial terrace into a small campus of creative workspaces in Hackney, London.

Located in the De Beauvoir Town conservation area, the adaptive reuse project has transformed an existing warren of rooms across two buildings into a coherent sequence with new staircases and rooftop storeys.

"Like the original 100-year-old fabric, everything new is pared down and robust," Henley Halebrown told Dezeen.

"[This is] so it may endure with little maintenance while illustrating how the lasting qualities of building traditions can be transferred to contemporary architecture."

The pair of buildings at 98-100 De Beauvoir Road is nestled in an urban block of warehouses and semi-detached townhouses, a stone's throw from De Beauvoir Square – the centrepiece of the historic Benyon Estate.

Henley Halebrown's aim was to conserve and revive the site's existing structures, seeing them as "objet trouvés" with aesthetic value.

A pair of interlocking courtyards have been reestablished at the heart of the site, set back behind the street in a sequence – going from the forecourt through to a covered passage and then the first courtyard.

Described by the studio as outdoor "rooms", these courtyards have floors of brushed pink concrete to complement the original brickwork.

Within each of the pair of buildings, Henley Halebrown has inserted a new staircase. In 98, it is formed of half-arch, precast-concrete flights.

In 100, the stair cuts the original timber floors to house pale flights intended to blend seamlessly with the visible painted joists and floorboards.

"Every surface is a pale hue emphasising the chiaroscuro effect of skylight permeating down through the section," said the studio.

A final black-steel stair is inserted as part of a loggia in the larger courtyard. Balanced on a single line of steel columns, the transitional space features balustraded walkways with semi-circular ends that project into the space where the two courtyards meet.

On the roof of 100 – the taller of the two buildings – a pavilion formed of black-rubber volumes has been added, forming a courtyard space at the centre.

Internally, this pavilion has a timber structure with trusses, beams and columns left exposed to provide a warm and natural aesthetic.

Henley Halebrown is a London studio founded by Simon Henley and Gavin Hale-Brown in 1995.

Previous projects by the studio include the transformation of a warehouse into Bauhaus-informed offices and the Stirling Prize-shortlisted hybrid housing and primary school scheme 333 Kingsland Road.

The photography is by Nick Kane unless stated otherwise.

Our most popular newsletter, formerly known as Dezeen Weekly. Sent every Thursday and featuring a selection of the best reader comments and most talked-about stories. Plus occasional updates on Dezeen’s services and breaking news.

Sent every Tuesday and containing a selection of the most important news highlights. Plus occasional updates on Dezeen’s services and breaking news.

A daily newsletter containing the latest stories from Dezeen.

Daily updates on the latest design and architecture vacancies advertised on Dezeen Jobs. Plus occasional news.

Weekly updates on the latest design and architecture vacancies advertised on Dezeen Jobs. Plus occasional news.

News about our Dezeen Awards programme, including entry deadlines and announcements. Plus occasional updates.

News from Dezeen Events Guide, a listings guide covering the leading design-related events taking place around the world. Plus occasional updates.

News about our Dezeen Awards China programme, including entry deadlines and announcements. Plus occasional updates.

We will only use your email address to send you the newsletters you have requested. We will never give your details to anyone else without your consent. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of every email, or by emailing us at [email protected].

For more details, please see our privacy notice.

You will shortly receive a welcome email so please check your inbox.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link at the bottom of every newsletter.

YN Studio wraps Dalston workspaces with translucent "X-ray" ...

Office S&M uses colour and geometry to create Graphic House ...

Murray Grove housing by Waugh Thistleton kickstarted ...

Office S&M unveils its own colourful office with ...

Police raid on Antepavilion building ruled unlawful by High ...

Dezeen spotlights upcoming designers with Designed in ...

Surman Weston uses architecture as "enabler for a great ...

Henley Halebrown completes "hybrid building" in Hackney with ...

Visit our comments page | Read ourcomments policy