Forest Gate Church, London

Forest Gate Methodist Church explored the redevelopment of a prominent but underused site on Woodgrange Road in East London, transforming a deteriorating 1960s church hall into a contemporary mixed-use development centred around community use and worship.

The project formed part of a wider body of work investigating how church organisations can reinvigorate existing sites through carefully integrated community, residential and commercial uses.

The proposal sought to create a more visible and welcoming presence for the church at street level, establishing a strong civic identity along Forest Gate’s principal high street. A new café and foyer opened directly onto the public realm beneath the existing trees, while a distinctive vertical spine created a landmark element visible from wider views across the area.

The main worship space was positioned at first floor level, creating a generous and naturally lit interior supported by meeting rooms, nursery accommodation and flexible community spaces. Alongside the church facilities, adjoining retail and residential elements helped unlock the value of the site, cross-funding the wider redevelopment while strengthening the street frontage and activity at ground level.

The scheme received planning approval in 2020, although delivery was subsequently delayed following the Covid-19 pandemic.

The practice has undertaken a number of related studies and projects exploring the future adaptation of church and community sites, including proposals for new worship spaces, housing, nurseries and flexible civic uses across London and the South East.