Rehabilitation of Hackney Arches into Fashion Studios

London, United Kingdom

The Golden Arches of Hackney

Commercial

2027

Find out more

Status

Ongoing

Client

City of London, Mayor of the Borough of Hackney

Address

London, United Kingdom

Date

2027

Area

3 000 m²

Program (Details)

Rehabilitation of the Listed Arches into a Cultural Space and Fashion Studio beneath the Hackney Overground Station

Credits

Mikoü

Project Team

Architect

Mikoü

Structure

Bollinger Grohmann

Fluids

Inex

HQE

Tribu

Economy

Bureau Michel Forgue

Others

Acoustics: LASA

Hackney: A Dynamic Neighborhood Bridging Heritage and Renewal
Hackney, located in the eastern part of London, is a dynamic area with a rich history and a flourishing creative scene. Its iconic brick arches, which support the railway tracks, form a distinctive urban landscape where industrial heritage seamlessly blends with contemporary development.

Hackney: A District in Transformation
Located in the northeast of London, Hackney is one of the largest districts in Inner London. It encompasses several iconic neighborhoods, including Shoreditch, Hoxton, and part of the Regent’s Canal, creating a dense and vibrant urban fabric. Situated near the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, which served as the centerpiece of the 2012 Summer Olympics, Hackney is an area of strong appeal, constantly evolving and transforming.

Today, this rapidly evolving neighborhood is undergoing a transformation, driven by creative studios, independent fashion boutiques, and cultural spaces focused on design and the arts. At the heart of this revitalization, our project continues the work initiated by David Adjaye in the first phase, while further strengthening the site’s architectural identity. Drawing inspiration from the “Black and Gold” aesthetic, it accentuates the arches and elevates the existing vaulted structure.

Reinterpreting the Arches: Bridging Technology and Craftsmanship

The revitalization of the arches is inherently tied to a broader vision of the public space surrounding them. This approach not only seeks to enhance their integration within the urban fabric but also aims to foster connections between the parallel streets by increasing visual and pedestrian permeability through the arches. Our design proposal focuses on establishing a seamless pedestrian network while creating new urban vistas that connect one street to the next. The alignment and repetition of the arches serve as a central organizing axis, acting as a unifying feature that brings spatial cohesion to the entire neighborhood.

Therefore, the objective of the project is to breathe new life into these arches, giving them a renewed purpose and a contemporary character. Our approach seeks to harmonize historical heritage with innovation, positioning the Hackney arches within a vibrant and enduring urban transformation.

Enhancing Industrial Heritage
The Hackney arches, iconic landmarks of the neighborhood, provide exceptional urban permeability, linking Bohemia Place to Morning Lane Street. Our goal was to further emphasize this connectivity by enhancing the visibility of the arches and playing with the visual depth of the spaces. The underside of the arches is clad in crinkled golden metal, which evokes a blend of luxury and craftsmanship while offering effective moisture protection. This cladding extends outward as luminous canopies, enhancing the rhythm of the arches and providing stylish protection for pedestrians.

To accentuate the geometry of the arcades, the brick walls are punctuated with sleek, perforated black metal panels, which subtly integrate external shading and technical ducts. The transparency of the glazing offers a deeper view into the arcades, highlighting their passage-like nature while showcasing the activities unfolding within. As night descends, the golden external shades transform the arcades into a dynamic light installation, presenting a new visual experience and reinforcing the project’s bold identity.