Barking Central, London IG11

Barking Central is ‘one of the most successful, mixed-use city centre regeneration projects in the UK’.  It was built in two phases: Phase I completed in 2007, and Phase II in 2010. The scheme was designed by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris architects together with Muf art/architecture, the public realm specialist, and developed by Redrow Regeneration.

Phase I of Barking Central is a redevelopment which includes the old library upgrade and building a six-storey residential block (Rope Works) above it. Rope Works is a U shaped apartment block rising above the library and featuring a distinctive colonnade of V shaped columns facing the adjacent arboretum.  It comprises approximately 246 apartments in two blocks set around another landscaped (Sky garden) space designed by Grant Associates.

Phase II of Barking Central is made of three residential buildings, a hotel and a bicycle shed for 250 bikes. Overall, the scheme has delivered over 500 residential apartments, 9 retail units, a café, a new town square and an arboretum. The tallest building within Barking Central is a 17-storey The Lemonade tower.

Barking Central occupies the site of the former R Whites lemonade factory which branding influenced the development’s overall identity design. The vivid colour shades ( yellow & green) which give character to each individual block, are inspired by the seasonal leaf colour tone changes of the central arboretum.

The public realm, including the new town square, is by  muf architecture/art. The arboretum is the central piece of this public realm enclosed by the buildings. It is framed by the Bath House and the library arcade. There are 13 golden chandeliers designed by Tom Dixon which illuminate this 8-metre-high arcade space. The north side of the square is framed by the ‘Folly’ which is an appealing and fitting art piece. This 7m-high faux ruin is made of reclaimed local material with the aim to conceals the rear of an existing supermarket and is made using expertise from a local bricklayers' college. The first phase of the new town square won the 2008 European Prize for Urban Public Space.

Apartments

Barking Central has over 500 modern, 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments varied in size and layout depending on the building. The Lemonade building is the scheme’s landmark. The most popular, well proportioned, two bedroom apartments occupy corners of the tower and have the largest balconies and the best area views.  Open plan contemporary design, with a private amenity space (balcony or terrace), has been applied throughout the collection.

The triple glazed windows, native planting in the courtyard garden, provision of renewables through solar thermal hot water heating, wind turbines and natural ventilation and night time cooling in the Learning centre,  Barking Central has achieved an EcoHomes rating of ‘very good’. The development is a car-free project, has green roof insulation additions, white painted buildings to reduce the overheating and a large a bicycle storage facility.

Abbey Leisure Centre with two swimming pools, 140-station gym and a group fitness studio is a stone’s throw away from the development. The Broadway Theatre is nearby as are  the most of typical high street supermarket brands. Abbey Green is the nearest large parkland – a short stroll from Barking Central. This attractive public green space is a home to the remains of Barking Abbey, the former royal monastery dating back to 7^th century.

Transport

Barking station (Zone 4) is served by fast trains taking 15min to reach Fenchurch Street and the City. The Overground links Barking with Gospel Oak (north London), and extends to Barking Riverside along the Thames.

Barking underground station is served by District, Hammersmith & City lines taking approx. 27-min to reach Liverpool Street station.

Awards:

New London Award for Joint Overall Winner 2011

New London Award for Placemaking 2011

RIBA Award for Architecture 2011

Building for Life Award 2010

Building for Life Silver Standard 2010

Housing Design Award 2010

London Planning Awards: Best New Public Space 2010

World Architecture Festival: Commended 2010

Brick Awards: Best Use of Brick and Clay Products 2009

British Construction Industry Awards: Local Authority Award 2008

European Prize for Public Urban Space 2008

MIPIM Best Mixed Use Award 2007

Housing Design Award 2005

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