Hasta La Ideas

Dezeen Wire: local architects EllisMiller have been granted permission to create a series of temporary structures in the London borough of Hackney that will provide a hub for media and commerce during the upcoming Olympic games.

Furnished by PearsonLloyd, Hackney House will occupy a site beside Shoreditch High Street and will accomodate a media centre for journalists during the games, as well as exhibitions and events that will take place throughout the summer.

The venue is scheduled to complete at the start of May and will remain in place until September.

Dezeen’s offices are also located in the borough of Hackney, so we’ve been putting together a showcase of the best design talent from the area. More information and details of how to get involved can be found at www.designedinhackney.com.

Here’s a full statement from EllisMiller:

EllisMiller: Starter’s orders for Hackney House

EllisMiller have secured planning consent for Hackney House – a media and investment centre for Hackney during the Olympic games.

During the summer it is expected that thousands of people will visit Hackney – including many individuals and organisations who are looking for businesses opportunities in the area. The Hackney House partners – led by Hackney Borough Council – seized this opportunity and commissioned Ellis Miller to design what will be one of the most vibrant venues of summer 2012.

Hackney House is located off Shoreditch High Street and will be used as a media centre for non-sports journalists during the games period, and will be the venue for a series of events designed to showcase business opportunities and creative talent in Hackney to UK and global business leaders, decision-makers and VIPs. Around 20,000 people are expected to visit Hackney House to enjoy an events programme that will promote Hackney as the creative heart of London in 2012. Visitors will be able to make use of exceptional networking opportunities while experiencing Hackney’s reputation as a crucible of enterprise, creativity and entertainment.

Visitors to Hackney House will first be greeted by a bespoke entrance structure, which juxtaposes highly functional materials with a decorative woven chainlink carrying a lace motif. Beyond an entrance garden, Hackney House will consist of a flexible series of marquees and other temporary structures that can accommodate a range of different uses throughout the summer. These will include exhibition and performance venues, spaces for formal and informal functions, catering and other visitor facilities.

On completion in April/May 2012, the venue will begin hosting events almost immediately including the Digital Shoreditch Festival, BBC Radio 1 Hackney Big Weekend 2012, the London College of Fashion graduate fashion shows and business networking events hosted by the Mayor of London. Hackney House will remain open until the end of September.

The site is currently a vacant brownfield site owned by development company Lirastar, who are developing a mixed use urban masterplan for its future development with EllisMiller. The scheme was initiated by EllisMiller’s strong relationship with Hackney Council, and EllisMiller were able to facilitate the temporary use of the site with the landowner. EllisMiller also encouraged Hackney Council to collaborate with emerging and fellow East London architect Harry Dobbs Design on the project. Other creative partners include design studio Pearson Lloyd and Ben Todd (Executive Director, Arcola Theatre).

Chris Patience, Partner at Ellis Miller said:

“It’s been a huge privilege working with the Hackney House partners to design one of the most exciting non-Olympic venues in London this summer. It will play host to journalists from around the world alongside thousands of people enjoying a wide range of activities including music, fashion, exhibitions and business functions. We’ve therefore worked hard to create a venue that is simple, flexible and fun.”

Carl Welham, Assistant Chief Executive, Communications and Consultation at Hackney Borough Council said:

“The Olympics will create investment, jobs and business venture capital. Hackney House will enable us to maximise this opportunity for the benefit of residents, artists and local businesses.”