Higham Hill Hub

Sustainable Drainage, External Works
London Borough of Waltham Forest

We played a key role in developing a sustainable drainage strategy that reflected the project’s environmental ambitions. By incorporating permeable paving, rain gardens, and bioretention areas, we were able to attenuate surface water runoff and limit discharge to 1 litre per second—without the need for any buried attenuation tanks.

By adopting a progressive and nature-led approach to water management, the following benefits were achieved:

Improved air quality and biodiversity
Improved amenity value through nature-based surface water management.
On-site water storage was achieved without the need for buried plastic attenuation tanks.
Rainwater harvesting measures reduced the need for potable water irrigation.

Built on a former bowling green, the Higham Hill Hub development aims to replace outdated community facilities with a vibrant, modern space. The main building will feature a kitchen, a flexible area for community activities, and a large hall designed to host meetings, exhibitions, and performances.

Rain gardens and bioretention areas were used to avoid the need for underground attenuation tanks.

The two buildings are arranged around a central courtyard that opens onto an outdoor space designed for workshops, food growing, and outdoor cooking. New buildings will be constructed using sustainable methods, including a timber frame and hempcrete walls.

The existing site has already hosted a number of temporary community initiatives, such as bike repair workshops and a pop-up structure used during the Covid-19 pandemic for cinema screenings, fitness classes, theatre, and filming. The new hub aims to build on this foundation, creating a permanent space to nurture and grow the community for years to come.