"Approaching the handsome brick blocks of Tower Court in Hackney, the first clue that something might be out of the ordinary can be spotted in the balconies. Rather than sticking out in a regular grid, they dance across the facade at staggered intervals, each surrounded by a skeletal metal frame. Some have been walled in with fencing panels, while others are shielded with reed matting or shrouded with fake plastic leaves. It looks like a vertical display of makeshift garden sheds."
"Her family of 10 had been on the council house waiting list for over 12 years, while their friends and neighbours were being pushed out of London, or crammed into ever more overcrowded flats. It was so suffocating, she adds. But we have so much space now, and these tall ceilings really open up your brain. It's a dream come true."
Ultra-Orthodox Haredi religious requirements shaped the design of a Hackney council estate, producing staggered balconies enclosed by metal frames to facilitate building sukkot. The neighbourhood hosts the largest Haredi community in Europe, around 30,000 people, where temporary outdoor shelters are common. Many families faced long council-house waiting lists, overcrowding, and displacement from London. The new development offers larger five-bedroom flats, high ceilings, and kitchen layouts suited to large households. Residents report improved living space, easier observance of religious practices, and relief from prior cramped conditions. The design tailored to cultural needs benefits the wider community.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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