Clare House

Clare House is a considered architectural response to a sensitive brief, balancing memory, contemporary needs and context. Replacing a 1968 tower deemed unfit for habitation, the new 23-storey building and two lower-rise pavilions provide 145 homes, all for social rent. Over 70% of homes are dual or triple aspect, and 11% are wheelchair accessible, directly addressing the needs of Tower Hamlets’ diverse community.

The design reinstates the urban grain, reinforcing the street edge along Sycamore and Hawthorn Avenues. A cruciform tower plan maximises daylight and ventilation while minimising footprint. The bold chequerboard façade references the nearby Cranbrook Estate, reinterpreted with crisp brickwork, clean lines and a sculptural crown that animates the skyline.

Homes are shaped around resident priorities, daylight, larger balconies, and layouts that support family life, embedded through detailed consultation. These elements now define the building’s form and internal organisation.

From the reimagined ground floor to the skyline views above, Clare House balances civic scale with a human experience, offering a thoughtful approach to high density living, shaped for return and renewal.

The landscape at Clare House was co-designed with residents, children and community groups. In partnership with Roman Road Adventure Playground and Clarion Futures, we developed an inclusive, layered environment that combines play, biodiversity and calm. Green infrastructure exceeds GLA targets, delivering over 42% biodiversity net gain via green roofs, rain gardens and layered planting.

Two new parks – Sycamore and Jasmine, anchor the scheme with doorstep play, flexible lawns, quiet gardens and seasonal planting. Each element was shaped through engagement. Teenagers asked for adventurous yet safe spaces, inspiring natural play features that are fun, informal and respectful. Older residents asked for rest spots, level paths and tactile planting, all now integral to the design.

More than recreation, the landscape offers routes for movement, spaces for gathering, and quiet corners for reflection. A generous courtyard forms the social centre, adaptable for gardening, events or exercise. Green infrastructure is embedded throughout, with rain gardens and pollinator planting supporting biodiversity and sustainable drainage.

Landscape is woven through every aspect of the design, creating a resilient, intergenerational setting that promotes connection, care and community.

At Clare House, sustainability is embedded from the outset, driving the design, performance and long-term value of the scheme. Every decision, from early-stage analysis to post-demolition reuse, was shaped by carbon, cost and comfort.

A fabric first approach defines the envelope, with airtight construction, high insulation, triple glazing and air source heat pumps lowering operational energy. Homes are designed to stay cool without mechanical systems, thanks to generous ventilation and passive shading.

Whole Life Carbon Assessment confirmed that new build offered greater sustainability than refurbishment. Where demolition was necessary, we conducted material audits to identify reuse opportunities, with many elements retained on site and others allocated to future projects in Clarion’s portfolio.

Green infrastructure exceeds GLA targets, delivering over 42% biodiversity net gain via green roofs, rain gardens and layered planting. SuDS and water saving fixtures help reduce flood risk and resource use.

Crucially, these measures are resident focused as well as future-facing, creating homes that are efficient, affordable to run, and grounded in environmental responsibility. Clare House offers a progressive model for estate renewal that benefits both people and planet.