grade II church crypt in hackney by erect architecture

grade II church crypt in hackney by erect architectureinternal spaces of the crypt have been opened up to create more generous spacesimage © ionana marinescu

the crypt of the grade II st peter’s de beauvoir church has been completely re-configured and refurbished to serve the chapel’s communalaspirations as well as providing revenue for the charity. the crypt now contains a cafe, gallery, event spaces and office and therapy rooms. developed by london-based erect architecture, the objective was to create welcoming place which feels as if it had always been there.the renovation preserves existing features such as the ornate brickwork, the heavy church tower walls, cast iron columns and timber beams. new materials sit quietly and naturally beside the old. features from the church above, such as a patterned tiled floor, are quoted to create continuity. the new rooms were configured as insertions into the old fabric, and are clearly subordinate within the flow of the overall crypt space.a re-configuration of the southern courtyard improves accessibility and creates a sheltered, secret external courtyard garden.

the beautiful brick details which were uncovered were left exposedimage © ionana marinescu

circulation spaces double as galleryimage © ionana marinescu

the retained and new structural posts and beams divide the space lightlyimage © ionana marinescu

opening up the cafe to teh south allows light to flood inimage © ionana marinescu

the procession of spaces between rooms creates alternative routes and usesimage © ionana marinescu

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.