Haydon Gardens

The Minories site has a long and complex history. Crossed by Roman roads, the medieval Holy Trinity convent church survived here until the 20th century, whilst the urban fabric around it changed to become the Huguenot quarter, Butchers Alley and a rail goodsyard. After many decades of dereliction, this quiet back alley and garden will come to life again alongside a secluded new residential tower.

The forward and backward stepping floors minimize overlooking and overshadowing of adjacent spaces. The facade was inspired by metal chainmail aprons and gloves used by butchers when this site was a holding pen for the adjacent Butchers Row. A sequence of perforated corrugated aluminium cladding panels is used to create a metal curtain that gives privacy and filtered transparency to the residents. A number of perforation patterns were tested to create the impression of a soft and fluid metal veil.