Following an initial feasibility study, Hopkins Architects were appointed by Hackney Council to design a new civic building that would bring together over 1,000 staff and the borough’s public-facing services onto a single, highly accessible site. The result is a flexible, transparent and welcoming building that places community interaction at its heart.

The building is organised around a five-storey atrium, conceived as a generous public space and symbolic centrepiece of civic life. The ground floor accommodates a fully accessible One Stop Shop, reception area, café and waiting zones, all of which are directly supported by back-of-house functions and adjacent council departments. These spaces form a seamless interface between public and administrative life.

Upper levels provide open-plan office space for staff, with informal meeting areas, breakout zones and shared amenities. Circulation cores located at the building’s corners animate the façades and enhance orientation within.

The project was designed to rigorous environmental standards and achieved BREEAM Excellent. A carefully considered services strategy, including energy-efficient façades, photovoltaic panels, and dual-fuel heating systems supports the Council’s sustainability objectives and long-term operational efficiency.