Revitalizing Hastings: A New Chapter for Hastings’ Eagle House
London-based architecture studio IF_DO has transformed a neglected Victorian building in Hastings into what is now known as Hastings’ Eagle House, a dynamic community center marked by a striking green-concrete façade. No longer neglected, this landmark now serves as a hub for public space, work areas, and youth facilities, crafted in collaboration with community-led developer Hastings Commons.
Designing for Community Engagement at the Community Hub
“We were creating civic infrastructure,” noted IF_DO co-founder Sarah Castle. The aim was an inviting, functional space that integrates affordable workspace and youth facilities. With operable windows, the common room spills onto the street, encouraging interaction between those inside and the world outside. This design choice reflects an essential need in the center, particularly for the youth who can often feel sidelined.
Vibrant Interiors and Flexible Spaces
The common room spans the ground and lower levels, surrounded by bright canary-yellow steelwork and sit-in timber window boxes. Above, flexible working and counseling spaces for young people are configured around a central core, featuring skylit staircases to ensure connectivity across floors. The structure uses its innovative design to foster a nurturing environment.
The building’s color palette, selected with help from local youth, uses bold shades like pink, orange, and blue for wayfinding. These vibrant shades perfectly complement the rawness of exposed ducts, wood-wool wall panels, and sisal flooring, providing simplicity and ease of maintenance in the facility.
For a look at another colorful transformation, Miami’s WOMA Building exemplifies design and community synergy.
Preserving the Past, Embracing the Future of the Historic Building
In the attic, timber from the building’s external walls has been repurposed for ceiling cladding, with the exterior re-rendered in pale lime. “Materials needed to be honest and durable,” Castle explained. The aim was for the community to take ownership, understanding and valuing the aesthetic durability of the site.
Contextual Innovations Across the UK
Elsewhere, architecture studio Thing has revitalized a historic library in Cornwall, while Assemble converted warehouses in east London. This trend of revivifying old structures highlights the potential to adaptively reuse spaces for new community purposes, as evident in the rejuvenated building.
The photography capturing this transformation was expertly handled by Killian O’Sullivan.
Explore the reinvention of a classic architectural style with Mini Domy’s A-Frame Cabin, showcasing innovative adaptations for families.
Source: dezeen.com
Frequently asked questions
What is the new purpose of Hastings’ Eagle House?
Hastings’ Eagle House has been transformed into a dynamic community center serving as a hub for public space, work areas, and youth facilities. The aim was to create an inviting, functional space that integrates affordable workspace and youth facilities.
How does the design of Eagle House encourage community engagement?
The design features operable windows that allow the common room to spill onto the street, encouraging interaction between those inside and the outside world. This reflects a need, especially for the youth who often feel sidelined.
What is unique about the interior design of Eagle House?
The common room has bright canary-yellow steelwork and timber window boxes, with a color palette selected by local youth using bold shades like pink, orange, and blue for wayfinding. The vibrant colors complement the rawness of exposed ducts, wood-wool wall panels, and sisal flooring.