This is one of five projects undertaken for Tower Hamlets to provide new housing on sites across the borough, comprising 135 affordable homes on infill sites within existing estates.

Orwell House, located on Lubetkin’s Dorset Estate in Hoxton, incorporates 20 new council homes for social rent. The wedge-shaped building overlooks the adjacent Ravenscroft Park with a rooftop terrace offering communal amenity space with panoramic views.

The pink glass-reinforced concrete (GRC) balcony screens of the new building take inspiration from Lubetkin’s experiments in employing weaving patterns to soften the impact of large facades that are utilised on the adjacent buildings. The tone of the GRC relates to the colours of the surrounding estate whilst complementing the trees and planting of the adjoining Ravenscroft Park.

The facetted chequerboard design of the screen adds depth, light and shade, giving life to the elevation as the light changes throughout the day. The facetted screen embeds the new building in the context of the surrounding estate whilst allowing the new building to be a striking contemporary addition.