Leaside Road

This commercial and residential building for the Orthodox Jewish Community marks the transition from the raised ground of Upper Clapton to Hackney marshes beyond. The building has the complex form of an inhabited rock, carved to form five figurative towers which are eroded to form arches at entrance levels with carved openings above. The fenestration pattern developed to ensure that each of the balconies has an uninterrupted view of the sky for use at Sukkot. The prominent corner loggias are carved into, to represent the bowed bows of traditional Sukkah structures.

Flush pointed brick is the main material employed, with a rough texture on the ground lower floors transitioning to a smoother texture above. Windows and railings are painted to reflect the honeyed tones of the brickwork, adding to the overall perception of a homogeneous structure. Openings are a full brick thick, punched through on the lower floors to add depth, and supported by lintels on the top floor where the structure appears weak. The building is crowned with a sinuous rooftop playground which evokes a copse from without and a clearing within.