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Avanti Architects has completed a transformative affordable housing development on the Little Gearies Estate, showcasing high-density, sustainable design that respects community character and enhances urban living through innovative placemaking and strategic landscaping.
Avanti Architects has completed a significant affordable housing development on the Little Gearies Estate in the London Borough of Redbridge, delivering 103 new homes designed to integrate with the existing post-war community fabric. Originally conceived as a ‘hidden homes’ scheme operating under tight budget constraints, the project evolved into a more expansive plan that distributes housing more evenly across the estate, enhancing the urban environment and community cohesion.
The Little Gearies Estate, characterised by three repetitive three-storey brick blocks aligned parallel to the main high street, previously suffered from bland architecture and an environment disrupted by uncontrolled parking. To address these issues, Avanti introduced new blocks between the existing buildings to instill order and created traditional streets that clearly delineate vehicular access and parking areas from private rear gardens. This approach not only improves functionality but also places placemaking at the scheme’s core.
Two new six-storey apartment buildings at the front of the site increase the scale along the high street and create a new urban square. These blocks are carefully positioned around mature trees, with cantilevered sections that define the square and connect pedestrian routes across the estate. The housing mix includes one-, two-, and three-bedroom flats within these apartment blocks, complemented by four-bedroom townhouses arranged in terraces bookended by four-storey blocks featuring striking gables. The four-storey blocks also contain maisonettes on their lower floors with flats above, achieving a well-balanced density.
A notable feature of the project was the use of below-ground radar surveys to accurately map the roots of existing trees, allowing construction to occur in close proximity without damaging the mature landscaping, preserving the green character of the site. The external appearance of the buildings benefits from a material palette that juxtaposes brickwork on the terraces with rainscreen cladding and terracotta tiles on the apartments. The design includes recessed balconies and projecting dark elements to infuse the buildings with visual dynamism.
Sustainability is central to the new development’s design, with all buildings being entirely all-electric and heated via air-source heat pumps, contributing to the borough’s environmental goals. The scheme required only minimal demolition—specifically, the removal of garage blocks and one small residential block comprising three homes—thus avoiding costly and complex resident relocations and additional construction phases.
Planning consent was granted in 2021, alongside another housing scheme for a different council-owned estate within Redbridge. The project started on site in 2019 and reached completion in April 2025, with Hill Group serving as the main contractor.
The development has garnered positive feedback from both the client and public officials. Stuart Bryce, former head of capital delivery for the London Borough of Redbridge, hailed the project as exemplary local authority infill housing, recognising its thoughtful architectural integration and sensitive placemaking. Tom Copley, London’s Deputy Mayor for Housing and Residential Development, emphasised the scheme’s alignment with the mayor’s ambitions to increase the supply of genuinely affordable homes across the capital.
This development on the Little Gearies Estate demonstrates how high-quality, high-density affordable housing can be achieved respectfully within existing communities. It marks an important step in contemporary housing delivery that respects heritage, enhances urban form, and prioritises resident experience and sustainability.
📌 Reference Map:
Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
✅ The narrative is fresh, with the project completed in April 2025 and reported in March 2025. ([redbridge.gov.uk](https://www.redbridge.gov.uk/news/march-2025/103-new-affordable-homes-completed-for-local-families-in-redbridge/?utm_source=openai))
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
✅ No direct quotes are present in the narrative, indicating original content.
Source reliability
Score:
10
Notes:
✅ The narrative originates from The Architects Journal, a reputable publication in the architecture industry.
Plausability check
Score:
10
Notes:
✅ The details about the Little Gearies development align with official reports from Redbridge Council, confirming the project’s completion and features. ([redbridge.gov.uk](https://www.redbridge.gov.uk/news/march-2025/103-new-affordable-homes-completed-for-local-families-in-redbridge/?utm_source=openai))
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
✅ The narrative is fresh, originating from a reputable source, and aligns with official reports, confirming its accuracy and originality.
