Woodward Road

: Dagenham, London

Woodward Road for Be First, is a modern mews residential development in LB Barking and Dagenham. Located on a prominent corner site, it comprises 56 high-quality affordable homes, alongside a refurbished former library building with a new extension, accessible to the wider community.

One-to-three-storey mews houses, and three-to-four-storey apartment blocks, built to accommodate either single occupants, couples and families, and each with its own front door, line a new central mews street. The central mews is interspersed with a range of open spaces, from private gardens, balconies and terraces, to shared communal spaces for larger neighbourhood gatherings. The U-shaped site wraps around the former Barking Library building, and was formerly occupied by garages, two disused community halls, and a residential property. The site is well connected – close to Becontree Underground and multiple bus links. There are no surrounding listed buildings or conservation areas, however the former library building is listed, and the neighbouring 1930’s Becontree Estate is of significant architectural interest. The design evolved through extensive analysis of the existing context, and consultation with local stakeholders and planning officers. A coherent palette of reddish brickwork, clay tiles, precast concrete, power-coated metalwork in a ribbon-like expression across balustrades and brise solei and painted timber lining the façades was developed. The quiet, considered brick buildings, peppered with burst of colour, together act as a rich backdrop to the residents’ everyday activities, creating a vibrant and engaging streetscape.