Hackney Cooperative Developments (HCD), a community interest company based in Dalston, is set to transform an existing workspace in Woodberry Down, Hackney, through a carefully designed refurbishment aimed at creating affordable, flexible workspaces for creative start-ups and small enterprises. Funded by an affordable workspace grant from Hackney Council, this project addresses the challenge of underused central office space and inefficient internal layouts that were increasing costs and diminishing the sense of community within the building.

The refurbishment, led by [Y/N] Studio, introduces 14 new workspace units varying from six to 24 square meters, along with a shared meeting room and streamlined kitchenette and toilet facilities. A key design intervention involved relocating the reception area to the building’s entrance, fostering a more welcoming environment for tenants and visitors alike. An orange floor covering dubbed “Cayenne” unifies the upper floor, visually linking the warmth of exposed timber frames with the translucency of customisable polycarbonate cladding on the modular partitions. These timber partitions, developed in collaboration with fabricator MILK Furniture, offer fast, efficient installation and flexibility for tenant customisation, doubling new units as breakout meeting spaces for existing offices.

This project reflects [Y/N] Studio’s nuanced approach to working within existing urban fabric, where time, cost, and sustainability constraints drive an emphasis on material efficiency and multi-functionality. Alex Smith, founding director of [Y/N] Studio, emphasised that the timber was chosen for its ease of prefabrication and natural aesthetic, while polycarbonate provided light, privacy, durability, and a minimal material footprint. The design’s careful attention to sustainability and long-term value is aligned with the funding imperatives imposed by Hackney Council, who seek to maximise impact for limited budgets without disrupting incumbent tenants.

The work in Woodberry Down follows [Y/N] Studio’s earlier collaboration with HCD at Bradbury Works in Dalston, where they wrapped a terrace building in a polycarbonate skin and introduced a deck-access circulation system within an industrial material palette. That scheme earned a highly commended award by the Architects’ Journal Architecture Awards in 2023. HCD’s mission, articulated by CEO Simon Dancey, is to support the local community by creating genuinely affordable workspace in one of London’s fastest-changing neighbourhoods. He described the Woodberry Down refurbishment as a model for social equity, proving that thoughtful design and modest budgets can deliver meaningful and elegant outcomes.

Hackney Council plays a pivotal role in fostering affordable workspace across the borough through its Affordable Workspace Fund, a £1 million initiative launched to promote greener, fairer economic growth. The fund awards capital grants ranging from £5,000 to £200,000 and supports projects that enhance and create affordable workspace for start-ups, freelancers, and small businesses. This intervention supports the council’s wider strategy to retain local enterprises amid increasing development pressures, exemplified by related projects such as Dalston Works and the redevelopment at Bradbury Works.

Scheduled for completion in 2025, the Woodberry Down project is part of HCD’s broader portfolio aiming to safeguard affordable workspace accessibility in Hackney. The refreshed units are already available for occupation, targeting creative and social enterprises seeking flexible, cost-effective premises tailored to collaborative working. Looking ahead, the next phase includes further upgrades such as a new ground-floor reception and improved wayfinding, maintaining the project’s ongoing commitment to fostering an inclusive and vibrant workspace community.

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Source: Noah Wire Services