Saint Hackney

Display Serif inspired by the work of architect JOHN PAWSON and the historic Restoration of Saint John at Hackney

Saint Hackney

FONt DESIGN

Renewal

Transitional
Architectural

OVERVIEW

Saint Hackney is the newest display serif typeface from LB Type, drawing inspiration from the architectural restoration of Saint John at Hackney Church in East London by John Pawson. This elegant typeface bridges classical and contemporary design elements, featuring characteristics of both Transitional and Modern serif classifications, similar to historical typefaces like Baskerville and Bodoni.

Available in six carefully crafted weights from Light to Black, Saint Hackney demonstrates exceptional versatility across large and medium-sized applications. The typeface's high contrast between thick and thin strokes creates a dramatic interplay of light and shadow, reflective in the architectural principles of its namesake highlighting the delicate balance between preservation and renewal. This contrast is particularly evident in Saint Hackney’s heavier weights echoing Modern serif conventions reminiscent of Didot and Bodoni, while its lighter weights maintain clarity and sophistication with an emphasis on functionality.

Distinguished by several unique characteristics, including its distinctive 'R' tail and Old Style-inspired lowercase 'a', Saint Hackney’s design philosophy mirrors Pawson's 2019 restoration of Saint John at Hackney Church, where nineteenth-century architectural elements harmoniously coexist with contemporary interventions. Similarly, Saint Hackney bridges historical and modern typographic elements, presenting itself as a typeface that feels both timeless and contemporary. As intended through the architectural restoration, the emphasis on functional beauty, multi-purpose use and reviving a space for community and sound to flourish, Saint Hackney’s letterforms similarly provide a versatile stage for various applications, making it perfectly suited for editorial design, branding, and creative installations where both heritage and modernity shall coexist.

Visit the Foundry and learn more about Saint Hackney here!

DESIGN & PRODUCTION

LB TYPE — THE FOUNDRY

VERSION / RELEASE

1.0 — 2025

CREDITS

ARCHITECTURE: JOHN PAWSON Ltd
PHOTOGRAPHY: Gilbert McCarragher, Jason Orton

FEATURES

 
– 391 glyphs
– Set of Alternate Characters
– Western, Central, and South Eastern European characters
– Comprehensive language support
– Numericals, currency symbols, punctuation, accent characters

WORDS ABOut THE PROJECT

"The vision driving the refurbishment of this east London church was always of a ‘Cathedral of Creativity’, where architecture and people can come together in the richest ways possible, for a variety of purposes and activities, sacred and secular."

JOHN PAWSON