Orsman Road is a distinctive addition to its historic canalside setting in Hackney. Developed on a challenging site, the project aligns with the borough’s policy to enhance the new Green Corridor along Regent’s Canal and support biodiversity. The design forms a courtyard with open-air corridors leading to apartments, while molehill roof lights illuminate the commercial space below. Combining housing with ground-floor retail, the building is clad in copper that will weather to a rich brown, complementing the canal’s warm tones and evolving gracefully over time.