Highbury Fields, Islington, London

Sarah Williams was appointed to help LBI select a design team for this important project in Highbury Fields. The existing buildings are at the end of life and feasibility work had already been undertaken to assess the options available. This considered refurbishment, demolition and new build of a number of buildings on the site.

Sitting within a Conservation area in Highbury East Ward, Highbury Fields is in an outstanding location and provides a hub for the community to relax, play sport and benefit from the many other features of Islington’s largest open space. The Fields extend from Highbury Corner in the South almost up to Highbury Barn in the North and are framed by Victorian Villas and Georgian terraces.

The area to be developed is currently used for tennis and is a location where families with children can relax and play as well as have access to a cafe and a childcare centre. There are significant constraints that need to be taken into account such as TPO’s, adjacent listed structures and Conservation area and Metrolpoltan Open land in which the site sits.

Sarah has led the process in running the competition with LBI and in selecting the winning  team from a long and shortlist of architects. She also assisted in the development of the brief, the procurement process  and the appointment of aother professionals to join the team. Levitate were successful in winning the comsission.

Sarah has also been retained by the client to support in the development of the project with the client and successful architects. A new cafe and childcare facilities will be designed as part of the scheme and there will be a significant  consultation process undertaken due to many interested stakeholder groups.  A series of events and interventions will be planned as part of the redevelopment process.