Context

The Leyton Super Hub was built as part of the Mini-Holland project under the London Borough of Waltham Forest Council. Waltham Forest were given £27million of funding by Transport for London to invest in making their streets more accessible and safe for all users. The funding was used to create designated spaces for cycling, including cycle routes, segregated cycle paths and cycle hubs for secure storage across the borough, redesigned public areas and pedestrianised high streets, and removing unnecessary motor traffic on residential streets

Requirement

Situated in one of the busiest commuting areas and central to Leyton town, the Hub needed to be a beacon of the Mini-Holland project, encapsulating the passion and commitment of Waltham Forest towards cycling.

Cyclepods submitted a two-storey design to Waltham Forest Council - the only double level design that was submitted. Cyclepods' proposed solution that provided more cycle parking spaces and maximised the use of the limited available space in an innovative and striking design.

Solution

The design of the Leyton Super Hub was based on Cyclepods' ‘Lewes’ style cycle hub. The company used the modern architecture of the surrounding area as an inspiration so that the hub would complement the local urban environment. Originally the space contained an octagonal style shelter which held 20 cycle parking spaces. 165 cycle parking spaces were planned using a two-tier system, represting a 725% growth in capacity.

The structure of the hub is made from recyclable steel and the walls are toughened, laminated glass. Using transparent materials as cladding creates the illusion that the hub is smaller than its physical dimensions suggest. As the contents of the hub are well lit and visible from the outside, it also makes it an open and inviting space in which users can feel safe and secure. The high-street location meant a larger hub was necessary to accommodate the potential footfall from Leyton Tube Station, the neighbouring shopping complex as well as local cyclist traffic.