← Hackney Depot← Hackney Depot

For over 25 years, the striking steel-and-glass structure above Hackney’s Ash Grove Bus Depot sat empty—a missed opportunity in an area where creativity is high but space is scarce. Recognising the potential of this unique 1,800 sqm space, we partnered with 6AM Development to bring it back to life as Hackney Depot, a hub dedicated to makers, crafters, and grafters. This project serves as a pushback against the ongoing erosion of makerspaces and light industrial buildings in Hackney and across London.

Our approach focused on a light-touch, eco-friendly retrofit that celebrates the building’s original character. We cleaned and restored the existing spaces, repurposed furniture, and used lightweight partitions to create subdivisions. The reconfigured interiors now offer 22 flexible spaces for industrious individuals, ranging from a spacious 250 sqm co-working/making area to intimate 10 sqm private creative studios. The result is a lean building which can adapt with the needs of its creative community over time.