The Oakwood residential development (known as Oakwood 13 and 18) was commissioned in 1978 by Warrington New Town Development Corporation to build 200 homes in Warrington New Town. The commission was won by the Farrell/Grimshaw Partnership and was completed by Sir Terry Farrell and Company.

Individual units were constructed using timber frames and provided Terry Farrell and Company the opportunity to further explore the concept of standardisation in construction and individuality of context and personal expression. Rather than the simple repetitive plans of the previous Maunsel housing schemes, a concept was developed of the 'universal core' with external character. The core comprised the main service areas, circulation routes and living spaces of a unit, and was common to all house types. The variation in size and character was achieved by adding extensions in defined zones at the front and rear of each house. While this approach is common to both Oakwood 13 and 18, Oakwood 13 is based on the terraced-house model and Oakwood 18 was formed of bungalows with roof or loft rooms.

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.