The Becontree Estate is often introduced as the largest public housing scheme in the world, and rightfully so. Initiated in the 1920s under the “Homes Fit for Heroes” pledge, it consists of 26,000 homes constructed by London County Council over a 10 sq. KM area between 1921 and 1935. The 92nd housing type, 200 Becontree Avenue by Archio commissioned by “Be First”, channels the original optimism and grandeur of the post-war housing surge and leaves an unmistakable legacy of community and carefully curated growth.
Archio’s evolution of the site began with the decision to create two villas of 19 residences eschews the standard approach of a monolithic tower block. The many benefits of this include a substantial reduction of impact on the surrounding low-rise buildings as well as enabling open pockets of landscaping and green spaces that allow the site to breathe and integrate an element of nature. These bright, open spaces reduce the typical feelings of tightness often found in high-density areas and are enabled by Becontree Avenue’s grand, sloped roofs that lead away from a central courtyard. This careful execution of sympathetic design ensures that communal areas are as protected as they are open.
Internally, the flats are open and spacious, mirroring the decisions made externally with all flats being triple aspect, allowing bright light into rooms and ventilation. Dormer windows also provide calming spaces for relaxation and bedrooms enjoy roof lights with clear views of an unencumbered sky – again, thanks to the considered decisions to allow more open spaces. Impressively, each flat is 10% above national space standards and through the introduction of air-source heat pumps, the project has managed to stay away from the higher costs of traditional heating systems. Archio’s impressive application of such innovations has enabled it to see a 61% reduction in carbon when compared to building standards.
The villas reference the Neo-Georgian architecture of the wider estate and key elements of the project pay homage to details of nearby houses with semicircular entrance arches, round windows, and exaggerated dormers. Freshfield Lane’s First Quality Multi clay bricks clad the building and blend in superbly with the surrounding, red-bricked cottages while paying tribute to the wider, surrounding area as well. The lighter, more blended appearance of the bricks used for 200 Becontree helps to allow a more modern aesthetic to shine through and the lighter tones work well with the freshly planted foliage on site.
Archio’s approach to “gentle density” bucks the trend of tightly packed developments and showcases a project unafraid of displaying its own identity as a refined, beautifully thought-out construction project. While Becontree is careful to be respectful of the site heritage, it showcases a progressive way to offer affordable housing without compromising on design. 200 Becontree manages to define its own sense of identity and develops a warm sense of character for its occupying families and a safe space that will grow as they do.
Becontree Avenue won the 2022 AJ Architecture Awards ‘Housing Project of the Year’ and ‘Critics Choice’ categories. Becontree also won the Small Housing Development at the 2023 Brick Development Associations Brick Awards. More information can be found at www.becontreeforever.uk. More information about the Architectural team, Archio can be found at www.archio.co.uk.
