Case study: The Blockmaker’s Arms project

Demian Erbar and Dave Rayment
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Demian Erbar: Erbar Mattes Architects, UK
Dave Rayment: Rayment Structures Limited, UK

Journal of Building Survey, Appraisal & Valuation, 2025, vol. 14, issue 1, 6-36

Abstract: The Blockmaker’s Arms is a former public house in Hackney, London, converted to housing in the 1970s through a series of insensitive additions to subdivide the building into three independent flats. Commissioned by the ground-floor residents with the aim to expand their dwelling, the new project responds to the needs of the client, while improving vertical circulation and redefining a shared urban courtyard, within the constraints of a listed building and its immediate conservation area context. Developed with limited resources in relation to an expansive scope over several floors, the project aims to build a strong contemporary design while limiting the project scope to a reasonable minimum. Designs faced scrutiny by the council’s senior conservation officer, given the building’s prominent location in a conservation area. Construction started prior to and ended during the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper illustrates the key structural and technical challenges faced by the design team as well as the solutions adopted to address the complexity of this historic asset through confident interventions that form a coherent ensemble. This article is also included in The Business & Management Collection which can be accessed at https://hstalks.com/business/.

Keywords: heritage; listed building; conservation area; conversion; retrofit; contemporary architecture (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: R3 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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