Flower Pod is a garden run by Reach UK in Southwell, Nottingham to provide a creative and sustainable community space for people with learning disabilities. AJA designed and helped to build the community building within the garden to provide a space for people to enjoy gardening, wildlife, crafts and floristry that help people gain confidence and develop towards living more independently. Seasonal flowers are produced for sale to individuals and small events alongside natural petal confetti.
The building was built by volunteers using straw bales fixed together using chestnut spikes then ratcheted into tight compression to form load bearing walls. Lime render was used to coat the internal and external surfaces and provides a beautiful, organic and breathable finish. A timber trussed roof with timber shingles and generous external porches to provide shade and shelter to those working in the garden. The straw structure is naturally very highly insulating and the whole building is heated using only a log burning stove.
Reach Charity
The project won the Green Apple Award for Sustainability in Design and was nominated for the RICS Award for Sustainable Architecture.
If you would like to have a chat with us about your project or want to learn more about the services we offer, we’d love you to get in touch.
design@ajaltd.co.uk
0115 841 8418