Join RCKa on a tour of HNCC and learn about the decade-long journey that transformed a much-loved, but tired, community asset into a vibrant new piece of Camden. 

HNCP transforms a former drill hall in Camden into 41 affordable homes for refugees and over 2,000sqm of flexible community space. The scheme delivers an inclusive, community-led development and was the overall winner of the 2025 NLA Awards.

 

In 2013, Highgate Newtown Community Centre was identified as a vital local asset in urgent need of investment. Despite its longstanding role providing essential services, years of underfunding had left the building in poor condition and no longer suitable for community use. RCKa was appointed to lead its transformation, working closely with Highgate Newtown Community Partners to ensure the site could continue to support a wide range of activities for disadvantaged groups.

Originally planned for private sale, all 41 homes were reallocated by Camden Council to house Afghan refugees displaced in 2021. The design’s flexibility meant the scheme could be adapted during construction to accommodate the specific needs of these families, ensuring privacy, dignity, and a strong sense of home.

The homes offer varied spaces for both privacy and connection. Loggias, winter gardens, and balconies provide opportunities to connect with the surroundings or offer privacy in more exposed areas. Generous windows maximise daylight while preventing overlooking within the dense development. The result is a socially driven, future-proof development that integrates housing and community infrastructure to encourage resilience, inclusion, and long-term value.

 

 

                Lucy Millichamp, Programme Manager, NLA

                Dieter Kleiner, Director, RCKa 

                Alan Beveridge, Associate Director, RCKa