Hackney Technology + Learning Centre,
Hackney
Client
Carillion plc
Awards
+ PFI Building of the Year Award 2002
The Technology & Learning Centre is a mixed use building within the ‘Hackney Cultural Quarter’ Conservation area. Together with the Grade II Listed Hackney Town Hall, the retained Hackney Empire and the Central Hall, it encloses a significant civic square, itself currently the subject of regeneration.
The new building is ‘U’ shaped, its ‘open’ side orientating physically and symbolically towards Town Hall Square. The central area of the building is infilled at ground and first floor levels with retail accommodation and public library. The library accommodation comprises a reference library, an audio library, a children’s library and an adult lending library, the latter being located beneath the north light roof of the central area, whilst the remaining components are beneath the more intimate perimeter. The raised floor throughout is intended to meet current and future I.T. demands. Three upper floors of public offices prescribe the perimeter in descending levels from the Square to adjacent residences generating an appropriate scale relationship between the building and its immediate context. Hackney Museum (ground floor) and a leisure facility (first floor) are located within the wing opposite to adjacent dwellings. Service cores are located at the four corners of the building. The north east core offers a significant landmark to the corner of the square.
The common entrance to the building is from the square by way of a structurally glazed three storey atrium. This offers a transparency to the activities within the building and also serves as an orientation space. There are four retail units
to Mare Street together with a café and its outdoor sitting area facing the square.