We were tasked with the regeneration of a historic site in East London, the Tram Depot, known for housing the horses and carriages used for transport from 1870 till the beginning of the 20th century.
The site has maintained a lot of its original features, despite various additions and renovations that were not sympathetic to its character.
Our design approach was to create a scheme that celebrates the identity of the site by incorporating industrial elements as a formal language. The front wall, which is currently used for paper billboards, is completely rethought into a long commercial building with arched entry points, bridging over the entry gate and continuing the new materiality into the south block of the depot. The existing entry point becomes a focal point, which will showcase the new brand identity of the site.
Curved walls reference the historic tram tracks that brought carriages inside, now used to invite visitors to enter in an unforced manner. The rear side of the commercial building is open to a new courtyard, designed as a public space to be enjoyed by the residents of the creative units.