Norton Folgate Public Realm

British Land appointed East as part of a large team to design a series of public spaces at and around this conservation area in Shoreditch. East took the designs through to a successful planning outcome and have been latterly novated to Skanska to deliver the works on site. The buildings are located to the east of Shoreditch High Street; they include the former Nicholls and Clarke warehouse, land and buildings south of the railway line and Commercial Street and an area immediately south of Fleur de Lis Street.

Norton Folgate includes a sometimes unnoticed and important aspect – the network of pub¬lic and private spaces that link the buildings and streets. East worked with British Land and each of the plot architects from the outset to ensure a meaningful and calm public realm. We made use of existing materials, reused split and honed granite setts, in courtyards and streets, and where appropriate we located some special pieces, a large tree, a seat – minor foreground moments. The spaces are generally spliced into the background of the city. We believe that the network of streets and spaces give amenity and allow spatial choices for people to walk, meet, sit and experience this amazing, layered and rich part of London.