Barking Riverside - Fastclad Brick Balconies

Location: East London

Clients: Bellway and L&Q

Architect: Boon Brown

Project Overview

Barking Riverside was one of the UK’s most significant regeneration projects, transforming East London’s riverside landscape. Situated on the former Barking Power Station site and adjacent to the Thames, this extensive development spans over 443 acres and offers over 10,000 new homes. With 2km of river frontage, Barking Riverside has created a thriving, sustainable community that redefines urban living.

Project Scope and FastClad's Involvement

Boon Brown Architects were appointed as lead consultant architects and landscape architects for Phase 1, which included 227 dwellings ranging from terraced townhouses to podium decks and mansion block apartments. Following the completion of the Stage 4 design, their role was extended to cover an additional 482 apartments in Phase 2. This phase introduced a unique layout, with townhouses and apartments grouped into four pods surrounding a shared car park zone.

FastClad’s role in this project was the brick cladding of balconies. The development’s proximity to the Thames estuary, within 5km of a saltwater environment, posed challenges related to corrosion resistance. FastClad’s brick slip cladding system was applied to lightweight steel support structures, also supplied by FastClad, which was powder-coated with an A2 coating to ensure enhanced corrosion protection in this Salt water environment. The FastClad system not only met the aesthetic demands of matching the main brickwork façade but also provided a durable, low-maintenance solution for these external elements.

Challenges and Solutions

Barking Riverside presented several complex challenges due to its size, salt water environment, and advanced infrastructure.

Key challenges addressed by FastClad included:

Saltwater Corrosion:

Given the site’s proximity to the Thames estuary, the steel supports for the balconies required extra protection. FastClad worked closely with the project team to advise and supply steel that was powder-coated, providing necessary corrosion resistance while delivering a high-quality brick slip finish.

Balcony Design and Aesthetic Integration:

The lightweight steel balconies were clad in situ with FastClad to match the main building’s brickwork, ensuring a seamless visual appearance. This allowed the design team to incorporate traditional brick aesthetics without the load-bearing constraints of solid masonry.

Architectural Design and Aesthetic Appeal

Barking Riverside’s design draws on the site’s industrial history while embracing contemporary architecture. The use of FastClad brick slip systems on the balconies played a key role in maintaining aesthetic continuity, ensuring that the project’s façade maintained a consistent, high-quality brick finish. Additionally, FastClad’s low-maintenance, durable solution met both aesthetic and functional demands, contributing to the project’s long-term sustainability goals.

With careful coordination, innovative systems, and the use of advanced materials like FastClad, Barking Riverside has become a landmark development showcasing how modern building techniques can meet the demands of large-scale urban regeneration.