This was a very special community project for Royal Docks Learning & Activity Centre in Newham, East London. The project was a charitable evolution of Studio Bark’s hugely successful Bark Live-Build 2015 project at Warren Lodge, Norfolk.

Studio Bark worked on the project due to the team’s strong belief in the importance of community, diversity and education. In particular, the structure itself was very simple. However Studio Bark incorporated a long pop-up hatch window (powered by reclaimed car-boot pistons), a modular (locally sourced) Douglas Fir skin and a modular green roof.

The University of East London

Studio Bark split the project into four workshops where the first one focused on the innovative U-Build frame. The second workshop focused on prototypes for the modular and demountable green roof system. The third one focused on the modular and demountable cladding system. And finally the fourth one focused on the flexible and stackable furniture. Studio Bark are passionate about education, with a specific focus on improving young architectural students’ exposure to real building sites with real clients. Not only has this project greatly benefited the students and the community, but has also helped to broadcast the importance of environmentalism to a young and diverse range of people.

U-Build

Studio Bark have been developing a low-impact U-Build system in association with engineering firm Structure Workshop and CNC workshop Cut and Construct. U-Build has been designed to change the preconceptions of self-build. As a result, the RDLAC Garden room presented the team with an opportunity to test the first full-scale prototype of the modular system.

Sponsors

Studio Bark financed the project, but were also supported by a few key sponsors and helpers, including Metsawood (@MetsaWoodUK), Back to Earth (@backtoearthsw), Armaria Design and Butyl Products Group.

Links

UEL presentation

Live-build stop motion here