Hackney Town Hall

Restoration drama

Hackney Town Hall – a prime example of Art Deco architecture – has been given a new lease of life with a creative-yet-careful restoration.

Originally completed in 1937, the Grade II-listed building has experienced 80 years of intensive use – yet little investment in restoration and modernisation.

To bring it into the 21st century, we refurbished and enhanced the spaces to ensure its continued future use for council staff, visitors and public.

Family waiting in the corridor at Hackney Town Hall

Interior shot of people waiting outside the wedding suites at Hackney Town Hall

Interior shot of a wedding suite, filled with people watching a wedding ceremony at Hackney Town Hall

A new space for conferences, performance and celebrations at the Hackney Town Hall

Two people holding hands in the wedding suite at Hackney Town Hall

We started thinking about how the building could work harder for the council, using every inch of floor space and introducing new uses that could generate much needed revenue. The council was keen to see the offices upgraded and modernised with new spaces for conferences performance and celebrations.

But the ultimate goal was to bring the building into wider public use.

Interior shot showing the workspace before the refurbishment, - a cluttered office, with documents and computers

Interior shot of the refurbished workspace at Hackney Town Hall

We cleared the decks, removing physical clutter so we could focus on painstakingly restoring the original finishes. We then reconfigured the space, introducing an office design which supported smarter ways of working with a 6:10 desk-to-staff ratio.

A woman getting a drink for the bar at Hackney Town Hall.

Exterior show showing entrance to Hackney Town Hall.

Outmoded spaces have been converted into new event venues – a new opportunity to generate revenue – while unused light wells in the heart of the building have become multi-functional spaces. New marriage suites and a public reception have been installed, while the assembly halls now have a functioning, Art Deco-styled bar.

Interior shot of event space at Hackney Town Hall

Interior shot showing panels on the wall at Hackney Town Hall

Interior details shot showing material on the walls at Hackney Town Hall

Interior shot of blue seating in the council chamber rooms at Hackney Town Hall

Hanging, art-deco style light fixture at Hackney Town Hall

The town hall is now more efficient and effective – accommodating up to 70% more staff and more council services.

Colour palette and powders for Hackney Town Hall

Craftsmen polishing wood for Hackney Town Hall Station

Interior close up of a construction worker writing in their book.

Interior close up showing a craftsmen working on the tiling on the floor.

Interior detail shot showing someone holding a hammer

We worked with local craftsmen – some of whom came out of retirement specially – to restore the leatherwork, French polishing, and carpentry, and replace light fittings and ironmongery with matching materials.