ECOBuilder-Specifiers Journal spring2018

The Cube Building, London N1
Hawkins\Brown
The ground floor of the Cube Building
fills the majority of the site; sitting
between the Wenlock Basin to the
West and Shepherdess Walk Park to
the East. At ground level, an ecological
buffer zone separates a communal
shard terrace from the canal while
the residential accommodation
stories have been lifted up off the
ground floor workspace; resulting in
generous first floor private residential
terraces overlooking the park and
canal. The upper residential stories of
the building twists every two floors
towards the sun creating generous,
staggered terraces maximising views
and outdoor space going above and
beyond typical London standards.
Planning History
After a stalled planning application in
2011, our original client challenged
us to maximise the site’s saleable
value. Our brief: to maximise value
by creating something a little bit
different; a unique building with good
daylight, great views and generous
terraces. Original planning consent for
the design; based on a novel cruciform
plan, was granted in 2012 and in
2013 revised further maximising
the number of units on the site. The
final consented scheme, supported
LB Hackney’s proposed ‘Wood First’
policy and provides 50 new homes
for Hackney over 10 storeys; a 20%
increase on the original stalled
planning application.
Development Information
Architect: HawkinsBrown
Developer: Regal Homes
Planning Authority:
London Borough of Hackney
Development Data
Site size (ha): 0.144
Date of completion: 2017
Schedule of accommodation:
14 x 1bed flats, 24 x 2 bed flats,
5 x 3 bed flats
Tenure mix: 65% Private Sale/ 35%
Shared Ownership/Housing Association
Rented
Size of typical home:
2 bed flats – ranging from 65 – 73
Parking spaces: 11 within basement
22 ECOBUILDER - THE SPECIFIER SPRING 2018