Using concrete to create long-lasting, affordable and fire resilient homes
The 60s-built Gascoigne Estate in Barking, East London has undergone a major transformation in recent years. With the previous, failing housing blocks demolished, 1,400 affordable, highly energy-efficient and fire resilient homes now stand in their place.
Three core delivery aims have made up this regeneration project: safety, affordability, and sustainability.
Farrimond House by architects Pitman Tozer is one of the new developments on the estate. Designed around a central courtyard, it consists of 226 homes in blocks ranging from four to six storeys high. Using a hybrid structure, the interior is made up of in-situ reinforced concrete floor slabs and precast core walls and columns.
To maximise the efficiency of the materials being used, the building’s layout has been carefully considered. Each of the homes sit neatly on top of each other, reducing the need for additional strengthened concrete slabs or beams.
The old housing blocks on the estate had suffered a number of fires during their lifetime, meaning that designing for fire safety was the upmost priority. Project architect Luke Tozer explains that to meet this brief, only one material would fit the bill:
“For this kind of large-scale, affordable housing project, concrete is a very cost-effective structural solution, add to that its inherent resistance to fire, and concrete is the only material in town for projects like this”.
Striking the right balance between carbon efficiency and buildability in the building’s design was another one of the key objectives. For the precast concrete slabs, 30% of the cement in the mixture was replaced with GGBS, a further 70% of the cement in the concrete foundations was substituted for GGBS.
Concrete is also playing a central role in making Farrimond House zero carbon in operation, as the concrete walls and interior structure are able to provide high levels of insulation and air tightness. Renewable energy is generated from the solar panels across the roof and the homes are fed by a district heating system.
The overall design provides a robust and reliable model for 21st century estate regeneration, with concrete key to creating comfortable homes that are protected against fire whilst remaining affordable and sustainable.