The Portico has been voted Hackney’s favourite building in the Hackney Design Awards 2024. The once-at-risk heritage building, which was redeveloped into a new primary care NHS surgery, received the most public votes in the People’s Choice Award category.
Launched in 2004, the biennial Hackney Design Awards were created to recognise and celebrate the best of the borough’s architecture and design - from innovative new buildings to extensions, restorations and public spaces.
The other winning schemes were selected by a panel of expert judges from a shortlist of publicly nominated projects.
The winners in the main awards category were Aden Grove, Chowdhury Walk, House made by many hands, St John Church at Hackney and Tower Court, with commendations going to Abney Park Restoration and Elemental House.
In the Climate Change and Sustainability category, The Black and White Building, central London’s tallest all-timber office building, was named as the winner. The judges praised the project for showcasing the potential of timber in large-scale construction in sustainable architecture.
St John Church at Hackney was the winner of the Heritage & Restoration Award, with praise for the significant conservation work to repair the Grade II* listed church with the addition of new architectural features to create a multi-functional community space and arts venue.
People’s Choice Award favourite, the Portico, received 44% of the public vote. Formerly the chapel to the London Orphan Asylum, it was re-developed into a GP practice in a first-of-its-kind partnership between Hackney Council and NHS North East London to deliver a new home for the Lower Clapton Group Practice and its 15,000 patients.
The new surgery has 18 consulting rooms – double the number at the practice's previous premises – six treatment rooms, one minor procedures room and new administrative, staff and patient accommodation and reception areas.
A member of the public, who voted for the Portico in the People’s Choice Award category, said,
“The building fills me with pride. From the beautiful attention grabbing entrance, the manicured gardens, the clean modern sliding glass doors, everything about this building makes me feel happier about going to the doctors.“
Dr Nick Brewer, GP Principal Partner at the Practice, below:
‘We are so proud to have won the People's choice category at the Hackney Design Awards 2024. The practice and our team are immensely proud of the fact that the redevelopment of the site, into modern health facilities, has also meant the Portico has been renovated and has been given a fresh life at the heart of our community. It is wonderful that people in the community also appreciate this and took the time to vote.’
