ACADEMY CENTRAL
T
BARKING, EAST LONDON
aylor Wimpey East London is building 948
The informality of the design contrasts with and
houses and apartments on the former site of
complements the strong lines of the adjacent
the University of East London. All 13 apartment
architecture. A serpentine path meanders along the
buildings will have a green roof and the public
central axis of the space. Open areas can be used for
realm includes a number of innovative areas of
picnics and barbecues by residents, while sunken,
public open space, including ’the spine’ landscape,
more intimate spaces will provide communal
which runs through the development. Liz Lake
meeting spaces suitable for quiet sitting on the low
Associates was commissioned to prepare a detailed
elliptical-shaped granite benches.
landscape design scheme for this spine area. Shallow grass mounding to the back of these The so-called 'spine' on the site is a north-south
meeting areas and elsewhere along the length of the
aligned linear amenity space which provides a
spine will create raised lawns, thereby increasing
green link from Mayesbrook Park to the south,
opportunities for informal passive recreation and
into the heart of the development. Drawing on its
imaginative play. Swathes of wildflower grassland
experience of landscape design in residential areas,
and indigenous species of trees and hedgerows will
Liz Lake Associates developed a scheme which has
also help to promote biodiversity.
a harmonious fluid informality and can be seen as a piece of modern art when viewed from the upper floor balconies.
Client
Architect
Images
Taylor Wimpey
Biscoe & Stanton
Groundfloor view
East London
Spine landscape masterplan Elliptical granite bench set within grass mounding