LOCATION
Dalston, London
YEAR
2026
TYPE
Residential
SOFTWARE
AutoCad | Rhino 3D | D5 | Adobe Suit
Dalston Boulevard
Dalston is characterised by dense urban fabric, active street life and a strong retail culture. The project responds to local spatial challenges, including limited green space, housing pressure and a shortage of affordable workspaces for small businesses.
The proposal introduces a live-work courtyard block that combines residential units, retail spaces and shared communal areas. It activates the street edge while creating a protected courtyard that brings daylight, greenery and social space into the dense urban context.
The proposal introduces a live-work courtyard block that combines residential units, retail spaces and shared communal areas. It activates the street edge while creating a protected courtyard that brings daylight, greenery and social space into the dense urban context.
Key findings
Strong pedestrian movement and transport connectivity
Active local market and retail culture
Limited public green space
High urban density and constrained daylight access
Active local market and retail culture
Limited public green space
High urban density and constrained daylight access
Urban context
The site is located near Dalston Junction, within an area defined by strong pedestrian movement, transport infrastructure and active food-market culture. The analysis identified limited public green space, pressure on housing and a lack of affordable non-food retail and workspace.
COURTYARD FORMATION → STREET EDGE → PUBLIC/PRIVATE GRADIENT
USER GROUP
Live–work families operating small local businesses.
• combined home–workspace living
• street-facing retail or studios
• shared community courtyards
• combined home–workspace living
• street-facing retail or studios
• shared community courtyards
Live–work housing for small business owners, combining residential units with local retail and shared community spaces.
PROGRAMME
• housing
• workspace
• retail
• community space
• green spaceards
• workspace
• retail
• community space
• green spaceards
Concept & programme
The project proposes a live–work courtyard block designed for small local businesses and family-operated enterprises.
By combining housing, workspace and street-facing retail, the development supports Dalston’s local economy while introducing shared courtyard spaces that provide greenery, daylight and community interaction.
By combining housing, workspace and street-facing retail, the development supports Dalston’s local economy while introducing shared courtyard spaces that provide greenery, daylight and community interaction.
SITE LOCATION / CONDITION
ACTIVATE STREET EDGE
MASTERPLAN
SITE → STREET → COURTYARD → PROGRAMME
CARVE SHARED COURTYARD
LAYER PUBLIC AND PRIVATE USES
Design strategy + masterplan
The design strategy follows four spatial steps that transform the irregular urban site into an active mixed-use courtyard block.
Ground floor retail activates the street edge, while the building mass is carved to form a shared courtyard that introduces daylight, greenery and communal space within the dense urban fabric.
Ground floor retail activates the street edge, while the building mass is carved to form a shared courtyard that introduces daylight, greenery and communal space within the dense urban fabric.
GROUND FLOOR SPATIAL ORGANISATION
FRONT / SIDE ELEVATION
Architectural proposal
The architectural proposal follows the triangular geometry of the site, forming a continuous street frontage while enclosing a protected internal courtyard.
Retail and workspace units occupy the ground floor along the high street, while residential apartments are arranged above, overlooking the communal courtyard.
Retail and workspace units occupy the ground floor along the high street, while residential apartments are arranged above, overlooking the communal courtyard.
LONGITUDINAL SECTION
LONGITUDINAL SECTION
Project section / Spatial organisation
The section illustrates the spatial hierarchy of the project.
Street-level retail activates the public edge, while residential units are arranged above and around a shared courtyard. This organisation creates a gradual transition from public street life to communal space and private housing.
Street-level retail activates the public edge, while residential units are arranged above and around a shared courtyard. This organisation creates a gradual transition from public street life to communal space and private housing.
GROUND FLOOR SPATIAL ORGANISATION
FRONT / SIDE ELEVATION
Residential floor plans
Upper floors accommodate residential units organised around a central stair core and skylight.
This arrangement improves daylight penetration and creates clear vertical circulation through the building while maintaining compact and efficient apartment layouts.
This arrangement improves daylight penetration and creates clear vertical circulation through the building while maintaining compact and efficient apartment layouts.
