British Homes Awards celebrate projects that are committed to improving the quality of life of the people living in them, as well as the wider community. Gascoigne West Phase 2 includes 386 new homes and a 1,500 m² park, setting a new benchmark for equitable and sustainable urban living. Developed by Be First, London Borough of Barking and Dagenham’s urban regeneration company, the project incorporates Scandinavian principles of wellbeing, climate resilience, and community-focused design.
Gascoigne West Phase 2 wins at the British Homes Awards
We’re delighted that our project Gascoigne West Phase 2 for Be First, has been awarded the British Homes Awards in the Affordable Homes category.
We’re honoured to have received the British Homes Awards in the Affordable Homes category. Developed in close collaboration with our client Be First and the local community, the project aspires to create a sustainable, vibrant place with parks, play and affordable homes. The award is a recognition of council led delivery of high-quality homes and a commitment to sustainable urban living.
Linda Thiel, partner, White Arkitekter
West Phase 2 includes five apartment blocks, ranging from 9 to 20 storeys, and three-storey townhouses arranged around courtyards. To foster a diverse and inclusive neighbourhood the homes contain a mix of 60 per cent affordable rent, with a significant proportion of larger family homes, and 10 per cent of homes are wheelchair accessible. All homes are tenure blind, ensuring equality and cohesion within the community.
The development provides private outdoor spaces and access to shared courtyards, complemented by a new Community Hub that offers flexible space for gathering and everyday use. In addition to the new 1,500m² park, play is embedded throughout the public realm. Co-designed with Year 8 girls from Greatfields School, our Places for Girls research informed the design of inclusive, less formal play spaces and streets.
This project gave us the opportunity to improve the quantity and quality of housing available for local people and enable a paradigm shift in how the public spaces can be used; a move from estate to neighbourhood. The pocket parks and playground are open to all, the scheme is set to improve the health and wellbeing of residents and the local community.
Linda Thiel, partner, White Arkitekter
The project follows a landscape-led approach, encouraging walking, shared amenities and stronger connections to Barking town centre. Aligned with the 15-minute neighbourhood concept, residents are a short walk from Barking Station, the town hall, schools, green corridors and the River Roding.
Earlier this year, Gascoigne West Phase 2 was awarded Place of the Year at the 2025 Pineapple Awards.
White Arkitekter has been involved in the Gascoigne Estate since 2018- with projects delivering 1100 homes, parks and the Community hub, including the overarching placemaking strategy for the Gascoigne Estate “ the Big Picture” , East Phase 2, West Phase 1, and West Phase 2.
Photography: Paul Riddle
About British Homes Awards
Celebrating excellence in homebuilding since 1999, the British Homes Awards are among the most prestigious accolades in the industry.
Recognising the diverse talents that shape our homes, the awards span everything from architectural and interior design to build quality and innovation. We focus on what truly makes a house a home, honouring the collective efforts, dedication, and skills of architects, planners, and developers. Our finalists demonstrate that creativity thrives at every budget, enhancing the lives of those who live in the homes they create.
The annual awards ceremony provides a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the hard work of teams across the industry and recognise the remarkable achievements of the British homebuilding sector.
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