Barking Central 1


Grant Associates were appointed to create a lightweight roof terrace over a refurbished library in the centre of Barking, to be accessed by local residents of adjacent blocks of flats. The design concept focused on a simple visual graphic to complement the architecture of the blocks of flats that overlook the roof garden.

The courtyard has two elevated decks with tree planting and seating at either end. These provide views over a rectangular space containing a number of domes of various sizes, set within a formal gravel court. Each dome comprises lightweight, pre-germinated sedum mats set within an elevated, shallow fibreglass tray, so they appear to float above the gravel. The domes are carefully aligned on the structural grid of the library below, but give the illusion of a random pattern.

The palette of colours is restrained, with the green and red hues of the sedum set against the grey gravel, silver timber and white building elevations. Lighting around the base of each dome and under each first floor balcony adds an ethereal quality at night.

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