Old Fire Station
Stoke Newington, London
This former fire station from 1885 is an impressive building in the late Victorian Gothic style and a local landmark of architectural significance in the Stoke Newington Conservation Area. Converted to a community centre in the late 20th century and currently operated by the Old Fire Station Charity (OFS), it is now home to several diverse community, cultural, and social enterprises, providing valued services and spaces to the residents of Hackney.
In June 2022 Hart McGregor were appointed as architects and lead designers to develop renovation and repurposing proposals for Stoke Newington's Old Fire Station to better meet the needs of its community groups, draft a RIBA Stage 1 feasibility study, obtain statutory consents and prepare a scheme and presentation materials aimed to secure external funding for future implementation.
The resulting scheme remodels the building’s circulation to overcome accessibility issues and improve user access, wayfinding and experience, along with a review of the existing tenants’ arrangement targeting adjacency optimisation to allow for future expansion. In May 2024 we secured planning consent, and funding was obtained by the OFS for sustainability and decarbonisation works from Hackney Community Energy Fund, providing for solar panels, heating controls and LED lighting in the building. Funding was also secured from Hackney Affordable Workspace Fund for refurbishments creating Community Arts and Crafts spaces, and an application under submission to the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Consultants
Structural Engineering: Rodriguez Associates
Building Services Engineering: P3R
Cost: PT Projects