Station Square

Overview

Station Square delivers a high-quality, civic-oriented public realm at the heart of the new Barking Riverside Overground station. Conceived as the principal gateway to one of London’s largest regeneration schemes, the square provides a safe, welcoming, and legible interface between the station, integrated bus interchange, and the wider Barking Riverside neighbourhood. The design prioritises pedestrian movement, modal interchange, placemaking, and long-term flexibility to accommodate future growth.

Site & Context 

Strategically positioned between the newly opened Barking Riverside station and the River Thames, Station Square serves as the primary arrival point into the development. The site is framed by emerging residential plots, the bus interchange, and a forthcoming health and civic hub. The square acts as a hinge between established and future neighbourhoods, while linking key pedestrian routes to the waterfront, schools, and green corridors.

Design & Strategy

The public realm strategy is defined by a bold, geometric layout with adaptable zones for circulation, gathering, and landscape. A central ‘civic carpet’ of high-specification paving anchors the space, framed by informal tree groves, stepped seating, and integrated sustainable drainage features. Extensive planting, durable street furniture, and flexible infrastructure enable the square to host both everyday use and community events, enhancing activation and resilience over time.

Financial Insight

• Shared infrastructure strategy reduced duplication and capital costs

• Durable material palette minimised long-term maintenance liabilities

• Enhanced footfall and perception supported commercial viability of adjacent plots

• Flexible design allowed phased implementation and future adaptability

Impact

Station Square has emerged as an iconic, functional, and inclusive civic space at the core of Barking Riverside. The project exemplifies the value of early investment in public realm to catalyse transport-led regeneration. Through careful coordination and design management, the square delivers enduring social, environmental, and economic benefits—establishing a benchmark for public infrastructure within large-scale urban development.