TOWER TALKS

by Frederika Fraser

Tower Talks is situated on a fringe site in Shoreditch/Spitalfields and acts as intersection between three boroughs; Tower Hamlets, The City of London and Hackney. The building is designed as a marker of the start/end to Tower Hamlets geographically, while celebrating the close-knit connections to the surrounding areas. The programme is based on a 21st Century Town Hall, where decisions concerning the built environment are debated amongst members of the community, local government and cross sector disciplines. Tower Hamlets has witnessed numerous historic buildings being pulled down despite protest from the community including a key driver for this project; The East End Preservation Society. The building is centred around an intimate debate space taking on the name of “The Urban Living Room,” connected to a gallery where people can immerse themselves in the rich history of the borough. The project also offers the opportunity for community groups to rent desk space and for members of the built environment profession to meet the community to discuss issues that concern the borough.