- Healthcare
- Healthcare
The City & Hackney Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and the London Borough of Hackney (LBH) entered into a strategic partnership to deliver on an integrated commissioning model where there is a ‘one public estate’ approach to health provision and capital assets in Hackney. This led to the identification of the Portico site, with its Grade II listed building on the at-risk register, as a potential location for a relocation and expansion of the current Lower Clapton Practice which was no longer fit-for-purpose.
The imposing original neoclassical building was symmetrical around a central axis, therefore initial thoughts were naturally drawn to working with this geometry. However, through numerous deign iterations, it became apparent that it was not going to be possible to deliver the brief requirements, in line with overlooking and neighbourhood concerns, and interestingly to adhere to the requirements of the conservation officer, whilst retaining the symmetry of the original.
The resulting building provides 18 consulting rooms, 6 treatment rooms, 1 minor procedures room, administrative, staff and patient accommodation and reception areas in a new wing to the south of the site. A new ramp to the north makes use of the northern colonnade and has been kept away from the main steps in line with conservation advice. To allow for a accessible gradient it wraps around a new landscape to balance the geometry and create a quiet place to sit and reflect.
