Barking Central
This project is the first phase of Allford Hall Monaghan
Morris’ re-development of Barking Central I for their
client Redrow Regeneration & London Borough of Barking
and Dagenham. The scheme comprises 246 one and two
bedroom flats in two new six storey blocks sitting above the
two floors of a totally revitalised and extended library.
The north residential block, supported on a colonnade of
V columns, is mainly one bedroom flats arranged on each
floor either side of a linear corridor. The south block has a
similar plan, but with two bedroom apartments on the south
expressed on the elevation by their longer balconies.
The north and south elevations of the blocks above have
a smaller scale mosaic in a shimmering silver rainscreen
cladding punctured by staggered balconies. The balconies are
coloured green at the east end of the elevation shading to
yellow at the west.
Between the two parallel blocks the elevations change to
a white self-coloured render with white balconies looking
down onto the Grant Associates sky garden, together creating
an unexpected and tranquil environment for residents in the
heart of Barking.
This second phase of development around Barking Town
Hall and its new plaza completes an architectural ensemble
grouped on either side of a compact urban woodland called
the Arboretum.
To the immediate east of the new Arboretum is the recently
completed apartment building and Learning Centre of Phase
1 which establishes the identity of the whole scheme.
To the West and North are four of the new Phase II buildings,
and one further residential block on Axe Street to the East of
Phase 1. They are deliberately mixed in both character and
size.
The residential accommodation in the scheme contains a
variety of high specification 1, 2 and 3 bed units, each with
private amenity spaces.
The scheme incorporates a sustainability strategy providing
10% renewables through bio mass heating and wind turbines.
Consideration is given to the material choices and the
scheme includes both brown and green roofs.
