A concept for a contemporary nature-centric House in Hackney, London, exploring the relationship between architecture, nature, and everyday wellbeing through light, materiality, and landscape integration.
Location:
Hackney, London, UK
Client:
Private
Area
100 sqm
Year:
2026
Services:
Architecture and landscape
Status:
Ongoing - Concept Submitted
Sketch showing the main elements and relationship with neighbour house.
Located in Hackney, this contemporary biophilic house transforms the home into an immersive living landscape that promotes wellbeing, connection, and retreat from urban life. Through integrated planting, natural materials, and framed views, the design encourages moments of calm, delight, and reconnection with nature.
Balcorne Street reflects the varied residential character typical of Hackney, with a mix of housing typologies and architectural styles. The proposed house is designed to respond sensitively to its context while embracing a sustainable and contemporary approach.
Located alongside a row of late Victorian terraced houses, the proposal aligns with the existing cornice and parapet heights to maintain continuity within the street. The roof form and overall volume are carefully shaped to complement the surrounding urban fabric.
The front and side façades are conceived as self-supporting brick masonry, using a subtle textured pattern inspired by the horizontal detailing of the neighbouring houses. Areas of porous brickwork create filtered light, visual permeability, and a softer relationship between inside and outside.
Visible from the street, the brick façades provide a contemporary interpretation of the surrounding material character. In contrast, the rear façade is clad in charcoal timber, creating a warmer and more intimate atmosphere that enhances natural light and planting.
CLT (Cross Laminated Timber)
SIP (Structural Insulated Panels)
The main construction method will be a timber construction with 2 potential alternatives: Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) or Structural Insulated Panels (SIP). Both systems act as the superstructure for the walls, floors and roof, are airtight and have very little thermal bridging.
Materials
-
Sustainable responsible materials and construction. The implementation of timber construction – CLT or SIP panels and timber cladding will lower carbon emissions, optimise thermal properties and lower the construction time.
-
Low transport impact. Because the panels are prefabricated off-site and delivered ready to be installed, there is very little noise, mess, pollution and traffic created at the building site. This helps to make the neighbourhood a safer and healthier place when compared to most construction sites.
-
Reduced construction waste. Factory construction reduces waste as materials are provided to suit the design and offcuts minimised. A minimal amount of materials are taken to site to finish the house installation.
-
Brick masonry. The bricks can be outsourced locally and even though they use energy in their manufacture, their longevity and minimal maintenance far outweigh their embodies energy.
-
Sourcing of local materials where possible.