Redbrick Estate, one of our projects for LB Islington, is a finalist for 'Regeneration Project of the Year' in the 2022 London Construction Awards. For this scheme, 55 new, social-rented homes, substantial public realm upgrades and community facilities have been woven into an existing council estate. This redevelopment forms a key part of Islington’s council home building programme.

Our brief was to examine ways the environment could be improved for existing residents, whilst offering much needed new homes for local people. Existing garages, an empty PCT building, community, youth and retail space have been demolished to make way for three new residential buildings, a larger community centre, re-provided shops, garden square, cycle parking and play space. An existing, under-used building on the opposite side of Old Street has been extensively refurbished to create a new dentist surgery and Soapbox Youth Centre – which includes a café, dance studio, state-of-the-art IT labs and music recording studios – all as the first phase of the Rebrick project. Central to the project has been an intensive consultation process with existing residents to establish key priorities for estate-wide improvements.

The redevelopment of the Redbrick Estate sets a national standard for exemplary estate renewal, combining the provision of the highest quality new, social rented council homes, whilst transforming public realm and community facilities for the existing neighbourhood, providing educational and training opportunities and minimising disruption and demolition throughout.

Congratulations to the other shortlisted practices; browse the full list here. Winners will be revealed at the London Construction Awards ceremony on 23 September.