The commission for six factory units at Wood Green in North London was won by the Terry Farrell Partnership in a developers' limited competition. A strategy of combining renovation with piecemeal redevelopment was adopted and the most run-down and least re-usable existing properties were cleared to create six sites. These were developed as a single scheme of speculative industrial units each ranging in size from 4,300 square feet to 21,500 square feet with considerable flexibility for subdivision into different factory sizes. A common solution was developed and adapted for each site where each building was built up to its site boundaries, whatever the plan profile, around partially enclosed courts. One of the characteristics of this specific type of urban planning was that the design of open space became as critical as the design of the buildings themselves. At Wood Green each courtyard was a tightly designed formal arrangement of the turning circles and unloading positions of large vehicles, staff and visitor car parking, and entrance points of all vehicles and pedestrians.
Where access was limited or non-existent, the external boundary walls were constructed of brick. This provided fire protection, reduced vandalism, and minimised maintenance requirements. The front and courtyard elevations had a glazed modular curtain wall system, which used reflective glass to increase the apparent size of the courtyards, improved lighting, and gave interest in the many reflections.
Known building project dates are inclusive of the Farrell and Grimshaw Partnership company existence. Project material overlaps between the Farrell and Grimshaw Partnership and the Terry Farrell Partnership company operations.