Rising Tide Trust, 2026

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Rising Tide Trust, 2026

The circulation between the reinstated Mare Street entrance and the improved Valette Street entrance becomes a social space for young Rising Tide users

The proposed Live Room, accessed via the original Hackney Central Library Mare Street entrance, exposes the historic features of the original building.

One of the four state-of-the-art music recording studios. The current dropped ceiling is removed to expose the original ceiling and full height of the ground floor windows. Secondary glazing and internal insulation is added to improve thermal performance

The range of recording studio spaces is informed by feedback from Rising Tide users who noted the wide range of music created at Rising Tide. They suggested this should be reflected in the design of the studio spaces.

Original ground floor plan of the Hackney Central Library

Original first floor plan of the Hackney Central Library

Current ground floor plan of Rising Tide Trust

Current first floor plan of Rising Tide Trust

Proposed ground floor plan of Rising Tide Trust

Proposed first floor plan of Rising Tide Trust

Rising Tide Trust, 2026

Info

Location

Hackney

Client

Rising Tide Trust

Type

Community, Cultural, Heritage

Role

Architect, Bid writer, Co-design facilitator, Design Team lead, Workshop lead

Architect's team

Roy Coupland, Ya Ya Chen

Funders

The Marchus Trust

RC/YYC are working closely with Hackney-based charity, Rising Tide Trust, and its young people to transform their existing spaces located in the original Hackney Central Library.

Rising Tide currently offer five recording studios, a rehearsal and performance space and two study rooms in their premises in the locally listed existing building. We are working in collaboration with the Trust’s staff and young people to reorganise this space to offer improved studios and an impressive live performance area.

Located in the locally listed original Hackney Central Library, Rising Tide Trust works with local young people offering recording space, skill-building workshops for young musicians and mentorship. They also rent out their studios to local artists and live performance area for rehearsal sessions. At first floor level, the charity have a large kitchen, shower room and office spaces that are currently under-used.

Shaped by a series of conversations and workshops, RC/YYC have been developing a feasibility study for the Trusts’ space. We have been exploring how their ground floor space could better welcome young people, provide state-of-the-art music recording, production and educational facilities, as well as more social space and a more impressive and grand live performance area.

RC/YYC have worked closely with Rising Tide Trust to secure funding for this feasibility study and are shaping our design process to meet the requirements of potential future funders. We continue to liaise with local stakeholders to build awareness of the impact of Rising Tide and the potential of the renovation project.