British Waterways, in partnership with H20 Urban, has announced the winners of a competition to remodel five historic Spits Barges to create a new mixed-used development in London's Docklands.

The winners are BACA - a research-led practice noted for its work around climate change and flooding - and PCKO, which has won praise for designing attractive buildings that respect the environment and utilise new technology.

The judges, chaired by British Waterways' London director Mark Bensted, said that the BACA design demonstrated "design flare and variety with considerable thought given to the three main areas of animation; the dockside, the urban space around the barges and the on-deck space".

They added that PCKO's design was "an innovative and adaptable design which creates a new urban realm and landmark space with the surrounding decking".

The competition forms part of a wider initiative to revitalise the waterspace in the Docklands. British Waterways is working with Tower Hamlets Council to improve links and landscaping around and across the docks.

Jim Fitzpatrick, MP for Poplar and Canning Town, said: "This is an exciting time for the waterspaces of London's Docklands. Integral to the character and heritage of the area, these historic docks and channels provide a neighbourhood resource offering a canvas for arts, leisure, business and the environment."