Clinet: Bancroft Management Tenants Council.

Designed and Completed with Nikki Blustin.

Brief: The existing community facility for one of the largest estates in Tower Hamlets is too small to occupy even a percentage of their growing needs. Following a feasibility study completed by Mode One architects, we won the tender to complete stage two of the process - the concept design based on the recommendations within this report. Mantus Road is a disused road which backs onto a railway line at the back of the estate, and would be the site for the new centre, with a capacity large and prestigious enough to accommodate the growing demand of venues for Indian weddings.

Method: The entire road is being considered as a landscaped route to the new multi purpose building, where the environment and the building are inseparable. Mid way up the road, at the heart of the estate, the ground sweeps down and appears to fold back over itself - a wave motion drawing the circulation of the Community Centre into its centre.

The centre allows for a multipurpose hall, work units, café, gallery, a youth centre and offices. These plans to regenerate the Bancroft Estate with the insertion of a Community Centre will connect the area to its wider context and provide resources to those in the Bethnal Green area too.

This project was worked on in collaboration with Architects in Residence.

Completion date: Completed 2003.

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