Industria Barking has won Commercial Project of the year at this year’s London Construction Awards with the judges commenting ‘the project is an innovative and elegant design solution and a very exciting use of industrial land, inherently sustainable with a powerful visual impact’.

Fulkers Bailey Russell were delighted to be in attendance at the London Constructions Awards on Friday 27th September to collect the award and celebrate the win.

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Industria: A revolutionary business space transforming Barking’s industrial landscape

The revolutionary business space called “Industria” elevates the industrial landscape in Barking. This cutting-edge development provides top-tier, flexible workspaces in a striking building designed to enhance the local environment while setting new sustainability standards.

Dan Kennett, Managing Director – Private, stated, “Fantastically led by our Commercial Director Steve Milsom, this is a major achievement for Fulkers and the wider project team. The building offers a range of light industrial units and spaces within a contemporary, sustainable structure that can flex and adapt to future requirements. It signifies an innovative new industrial model for the UK, with the potential for national impact in this sector.”

Located at the corner of Long Reach Road and Creek Road, just a stone’s throw from both the Thames and Roding rivers, Industria serves as a high-tech business hub. The facility accommodates a wide range of industries, from wineries and specialist food production to jewellery makers and green industries.

The vibrant new centre caters to industrial enterprises of all sizes, with flexible units arranged around a multistorey core, featuring vehicle ramps and goods lift access. Beyond its functionality, Industria also enriches the surrounding community, boasting green walls, lively shopfronts, and a new local café for visitors and neighbours to enjoy.

The 1.8-acre development, located in a Strategic Industrial Location (SIL), transforms an under-utilised site into a model of industrial intensification. It showcases how such land can be used more efficiently while promoting sustainable growth. The project is seen as an example of “good growth” for other boroughs facing similar urban challenges, potentially influencing future industrial developments across London.

Fulkers were appointed during the early months of the Covid 19 pandemic in 2020, providing both Project Management and Cost Management services. This meant discovering new and collaborative ways of working with the client and design team to deliver this innovative and ambitious approach to modern industrial design, all within our clients’ budget. Throughout the construction period and working through the difficult economic environment, we developed robust processes to tackle challenges around long lead times, inflationary pressures, subcontractor insolvency and new ways of working through the Covid 19 pandemic to delivery the project on time and within budget.

Industria stands as a beacon of modern industrial design, offering an innovative, sustainable, and community-focused approach to urban development.