Curl la Tourelle Head Architecture

If there’s one thing we’ve learned makes better buildings, it’s empathy. Architecture never happens in isolation—and simply by being interested and engaged, we’ve found it’s possible to open up the conversations that connect a scheme to its clients and community.

We believe that the more constraints there are, the better the architecture. If there aren’t any constraints, we create them. Challenging sites, existing buildings and complex briefs almost always present incredible opportunities for great design.

To limit our environmental impact, we start with what is already there. By manipulating the form and fabric of a building—whether new or existing—we can work with the existing conditions of topography, light and orientation, and harness the natural energy sources offered by air, ground and water.

If a site’s constraints guide the bigger design decisions, then it’s empathy that informs the smaller, social details. These details frame the human narratives that aren’t included in the brief, anticipating specific moments in the users’ lives.

Good architecture is as much about what happens on the building site as it is about what’s on the drawing board. By working alongside contractors as well as clients we can ring-fence the ideas and details that matter, championing quality and sustainability throughout construction.

Work Studio Activity News Contact

Work

Hornsey Library
Grade II Listed
Haringey, London

Client

London Borough of Haringey

Awards

RIBAJ MacEwen Awards 2024, Longlisted
RIBA London Awards 2023, Shortlisted
AJ Retrofit Awards 2021, Shortlisted
Haringey Design Awards 2021, Better Building Standards, Winner
Haringey Design Awards 2021, Heritage, Shortlisted
Haringey Design Awards 2021, Inclusive Design, Shortlisted

Press

Hornsey Library has been recognised in the longlist for the RIBAJ MacEwen Award 2024 in the Heritage Renewal Category. The MacEwen awards recognise exemplar architecture that is for the common good, with a primary aim of showcasing Architects and Clients demonstrating care for the communities and lives they are designing for. CLTH are honoured to be longlisted amongst such fantastic projects across the sector and the UK.

Read more about our intervention at Hornsey Public Library here!