Developed by Be First, London Borough of Barking and Dagenham’s urban regeneration company, the project in Barking, east London, provides 386 new homes and a 1,500 m² park setting a new benchmark for equitable and sustainable urban living.
Gascoigne West Phase 2 celebrates win at AJ Architecture Awards
We’re pleased to share that Gascoigne West Phase 2 has been named the winner of AJ Architecture Awards 2025 in the category Housing project (£50 million and over). The award was presented last night in London and marks the project’s third win this year.
We’re delighted that this council-led housing project for Be First is named winner at the AJ Architecture Awards. It raises the standard and availability of homes in Barking, while reimagining public space to support a shift from estate to neighbourhood, and from separation to connection.
Linda Thiel, partner, White Arkitekter
The team at AJ Architecture Awards 2025.
West Phase 2 includes five apartment blocks, ranging from 9 to 20 storeys, and three-storey townhouses arranged around courtyards. Drawing on Scandinavian principles of wellbeing, climate resilience, and community-focused design, the scheme supports the ambition to create 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 offers private outdoor spaces, shared courtyards, and a flexible Community Hub to foster a sense of belonging. Play is seamlessly integrated 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.
Gascoigne West Phase 2.
Having worked with the local community, we aimed to create a sustainable and vibrant place with parks, play and affordable homes. Big kudos to the group of Year 8 girls at Greatfields School back in 2020 – in the final weeks just before lockdown – for their insightful input, clear manifestos and valuable support for the project.
Linda Thiel, partner, White Arkitekter
The project takes a landscape-led approach that strengthens walking routes and links to Barking town centre. In line with the 15-minute neighbourhood concept, residents are a short walk from Barking Station, the town hall, schools, green corridors and the River Roding.
The project was delivered by Wates Residential with executive architect tpbennet, with us retained client side as design guardian.
Part of the jury's statement
‘It’s very well stitched into the fabric of its surroundings,’ said one judge, who was also impressed by the internal layout of the homes themselves. ‘It feels well-considered as a home, a neighbourhood and a piece of the city,’ they remarked.
Over the past year, Gascoigne West Phase 2 has been recognised as Place of the Year at the 2025 Pineapple Awards and honoured in the Affordable Homes category at the British Homes Awards.
We’ve 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.
About AJ Architecture Awards
For the eighth consecutive year, The Architects’ Journal presents the AJ Architecture Awards. The prize is awarded across 16 categories – spanning housing, health and wellbeing, workplace and cultural projects. All shortlisted projects have been visited by the jury.
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