Change is a foot
Our horticultural students compacting the building’s concrete-free foundations
Visitors to the garden in recent weeks might have noticed that changes are afoot in our former pay-what-you-can section; the market-traders cart and mallow are gone... and a new teaching space is springing up!
The custom-designed concrete-free, timber-framed building will be a new home for our horticultural therapy programme (Growing to Grow / Growback programme). Nestled in the NW corner of the garden (between the potting shed and the cordon apple trees) the 5m x 5m structure will occupy the same footprint as our existing indoor classroom.
Over the last six months we have been working with design and build duo Billy Adams and Freddie Wiltshire (projects include Grizedale Arts, Clitter House cafe, Cody Docks as well as private commissions) in collaboration with Cíaran Malik, engineer and course leader at Central Saint Martins alongside his 2nd year architecture students with support from Tabitha Binding who leads regional engagement for the Timber Trade Federation (TTF) & university engagement for the Timber Research and Development Association (TRADA).
Led by architectural researcher and WG volunteer Angharad Davies, the brief was to design a sustainable, adaptable and low-cost building. Initially the covered structure will be open-sided, but has been designed to be retrofitted for future use as an enclosed classroom and plant display area.
Next up: Building concrete-free foundation
Before the build:
our ‘pay-what-you-can’ section and mallow
Trainee gardener and horticultural student Filipa removing the old polytunnel footings
We would like to offer our utmost thanks to our partners at:
The London Marathon Trust for funding the project. The University Engagement Programme at the TRADA (@TRADA) for essential timber knowledge. The TTF’s regional member The London & South East Timber Trade Association L&SETTA (@thettfregions) for timber sponsorship and supply, via Howarth Timber (@howarthtimber). Our fixtures and fittings sponsors Rothoblaas. Lastly but by no means least Tabitha (Tab Binding @TRADA @thettfregions @TimberTradeFed) for making it all happen.
Without their support this project would not have been possible.
