Tower Court

Hackney, Greater London

Special Award for Community Impact & Engagement

Presented to an exemplary project that has demonstrated how successful community engagement can help deliver the highest standards of design whilst meeting the needs of local people.

Successful community engagement is a cornerstone of high-quality, responsive design, and the Tower Court project serves as a testament to how meaningful dialogue with residents can lead to architecture that both meets community needs and upholds the highest design standards. From the outset, the design team prioritised an extensive and carefully structured engagement process. Before undertaking any significant design work, they conducted intensive community mapping and outreach, ensuring inclusivity across diverse groups, including former residents exercising their Right To Return. By working with a specialist consultant who facilitated connections with the local Haredi community, the design team demonstrated a commitment to understanding the unique cultural and practical needs of future residents. This early investment in learning has led to an architectural response grounded in real community insight rather than assumptions. A key challenge in the design process was managing the diverse and sometimes conflicting opinions within the community. Differences arose regarding site composition, housing allocations, and the preservation of local architectural character. Rather than sidestepping these tensions, the design team strategically structured their engagement process. They employed a mix of targeted and inclusive events, selecting venues and formats that encouraged both focused discussions and broader consensus-building. Crucially, they maintained transparency in decision-making, using newsletters and feedback loops to illustrate how different perspectives had been considered and balanced in the final design. The iterative approach of ‘learning from’ and ‘designing with’ the community has been particularly effective. Initial engagement events informed the design brief, while subsequent interactive workshops, including large-scale models and full-scale site explorations, allowed residents to experience and refine proposals in real time. This hands-on approach gave non-professionals the confidence and opportunity to meaningfully contribute to the final designs, ensuring that the homes reflected real lived experiences. The success of this engagement is evident in the final design features, which directly respond to community feedback. Returning residents were allocated homes in their preferred location, adaptable family units were designed to accommodate various living styles, and existing trees were preserved to maintain the local landscape’s character. Specific design details, such as sukkah balconies, water connections in hallways, and generous hallway spaces, were crafted to serve the Haredi community while also benefiting other residents, making them feel like thoughtful enhancements rather than exclusive features. The overwhelmingly positive resident feedback underscores the effectiveness of this approach. Praise for the quietness of the flats, the spacious hallways, the well-framed views, and the high ceilings highlights how thoughtful engagement led to homes that feel peaceful, practical, and uplifting. 

Judges’ Comments: 

“This project exemplifies how deep and respectful community involvement can lead to design solutions that are not just functional but truly beloved by those who inhabit them.”