Hackney Bridge, London Borough of Hackney, for Make Shift, with Turner Works

The £4.6m Hackney Bridge development will serve as a 12-15 year temporary space until the development of Olympic Legacy Plan housing. This is the third project from incubator company Make Shift. Five buildings totalling 2630 sqm bring together workspaces including maker’s shops, co-working spaces, and artists’ studios; as well as a public market hall, events space, and food and drink vendors.

Who is on the project team? (designer, consultants, etc)

Architect: Turner Works

Client: Make Shift

Structural engineer: Structure Workshop

Civil engineer: Genever & Partners

MEP consultant: PSH Consulting

QS: Christopher Smith Associates

Fire consultant: Astute Fire

Principle Designer: Turner Works

Approved building inspector: Stroma Building Control

Planning consultant: QUOD

Main contractor: Glencar Construction

Acoustic consultant: Hann Tucker Associates

Landscape design: Studio Hatcham

External furniture design: Studio Jutta Goessl

Describe the context of this project, its neighbourhood and people?

Hackney Bridge, a meanwhile project situated on a brownfield site between Hackney Wick and the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, emerges as a transformative activation project designed by Turner Works for the Developer Make Shift. With a life span of 12 years, this project effectively bridges a gap in the area before permanent development takes place. Echoing the rich industrial heritage of the area, Hackney Bridge comprises five buildings that house a dynamic mix of incubator spaces, event venues, and a vibrant food hall. The design pays homage to the locale’s history while embracing a contemporary vision that encourages innovation and collaboration. Notably, 40% of Hackney Bridge’s founding members reside within a mile of the site, and an impressive 84% hail from neighbouring boroughs, underscoring the project’s commitment to local engagement. 

What makes this place thrive? How does the community come together? What makes this a great place to live, work, play, visit or learn?

Hackney Bridge has creatively transformed its interim site into a vibrant community hub through thoughtful design and community engagement. Turner Works utilised an intensive period of research and local consultation to shape five distinct buildings, fostering a dynamic public yard and open campus. The expressed steel frame and continuity in cladding create a cohesive architectural identity, while varied building features cater to diverse needs, from acoustic isolation in the event space to open, unheated market halls. Hackney Bridge functions as more than an incubator space; it actively engages the local community. Charitable initiatives, free workshops, and support from resident community engagement officers demonstrate a commitment to social impact. The provision of public spaces, including a popular bar and food hall, fosters sociability, while the flexible design accommodates changing needs. Notably, the project’s meanwhile nature and adaptability reflect a commitment to doing the most with the least, exemplifying creativity in activating the space. 

How has this place adapted, and how does it continue to adapt, to changing demographics, behaviors, market context, policy, transport habits and the climate crisis? What makes it resilient?

Hackney Bridge has undeniably made a significant positive social and environmental contribution. The architectural strategy, rooted in practicality, incorporates an environmental strategy tailored to the controlled Brownfield Olympic Park environment. The buildings were meticulously crafted using MMC with disassembly and circularity in mind—a simple kit of parts bolted together to form a cohesive whole. The site was approached as a micro-city, where old forms were ingeniously repurposed to create new, inspiring spaces for people to gather, socialise, and wander. The plan for the site after the 12 years is to be deconstructed and rebuilt or recycled making the construction and deconstruction process circular. The environmental strategy, balancing carbon considerations, highlights the project’s commitment to sustainability. The use of materials like plywood and self-finished concrete exemplifies efficiency and durability. Meanwhile, the project’s flexibility, demonstrated by physical adaptations and an open campus design, ensures adaptability to evolving community needs. Hackney Bridge stands out for its flexibility and adaptability, with physical modifications constantly responding to user needs. This commitment to dynamic evolution emphasises the project’s ethos of doing the most with the least. From its inception as a brownfield site to its current state as a hub for artists, makers, entrepreneurs, and small businesses, the journey of Hackney Bridge reflects a thoughtful approach to design.