The project respects and integrates with the neighbouring Victorian buildings and continues the idea of ‘open corners’, promoting easy pedestrian access and views between the courtyard and the adjoining streets.
Darbishire Place at Peabody’s Whitechapel Estate in East London completes an ensemble of 6 housing blocks surrounding an internal courtyard; the original block having been destroyed during World War II.
With a budget in keeping with typical Peabody affordable housing projects, the scheme is comprised of 13 new one, two, three and four bed units, 54% of which are affordable. The design respects the massing and characteristics of the existing buildings on the estate and continues the idea of ‘open corners’, promoting easy pedestrian access and views between the courtyard and the surrounding streets.
Planning constraints were within normal planning policy, the estate is not located in a conservation area, however the Conservation Officer took a particular interest due to the significance of the surrounding Peabody housing blocks, which were designed by Henry Darbishire in the 1870s.