Hackney Wick is well known for being a diverse cultural melting pot. With an increasing trend of African migration to the location, my design proposal addresses some of the core elements of how these cultures can be represented and celebrated by providing a dynamic and vibrant space designed for interaction.

Sustainability has been a great concern in my proposal in order to bring carbon emissions to a minimum. The modular node components that make up the buildings structure are therefore optimised to reduce the amount of concrete used by up to 1.5x. The design and configuration of the building also plays a role in it’s environmental performance as well: for example, the towering nodes create a stack ventilation effect reducing the need for HVAC in the summer.

The curvaceous walls, umbrella canopies, floor to ceiling windows, among other features, create a design language unique to the proposal’s context: marrying the subtle African umbrella market inspiration with the waves and fluidity of the waterfront site.