A House for Artists, designed by Apparata Architects, is an innovative affordable housing project located in Barking, East London. Completed in 2022, this five-story concrete structure provides homes and workspaces for 12 artists and their families at below-market rates.
The building's design is characterized by its playful aesthetic, featuring stacked shapes and geometric openings. It comprises 12 apartments, artist studios, a community space, and a shared working yard. The project aims to support community formation both within the building and the local area through shared entrance patios, a courtyard, and a street-facing public space.
A key feature of the development is its flexibility and adaptability. Residents can modify their living spaces by removing or adding walls to suit their needs. The building also incorporates sustainable elements, using 50% Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag concrete to reduce its carbon footprint.
In exchange for reduced rent, resident artists are required to contribute to free creative programs for the local community, utilizing the ground floor exhibition space. This unique model seeks to enrich the cultural life of the area while providing affordable housing for artists.
The project has received critical acclaim, winning several awards including the RIBA Neave Brown Award for Housing in 2023, recognizing it as the UK's best new affordable housing.