In autumn 2006 I was asked to enter a design for a limited architectural competition for a community hub building for the Lammas project. I proposed a grass/sedum-roofed monopitch which opened out to south, where controls could open up or close that elevation. Part of the covered area acted as an external meeting and play area, with a back-up trading post.
The proposals were accepted in late 2006, when I was invited to draw up detailed proposals via a series of development meetings. The structure proposed was locally-sourced larch and the newly announced Greenpeace/Premier Forest Greentree sustainable plywood. The inclusion of structural engineer Gareth Wilkins strengthened several aspects of structure and air movement. The design development process went through a series of carefully considered stages and the project expanded to include increased facilities and sustainable features.
When the design had been sufficiently developed, a model was commissioned through the Creative Industries Research and Innovation Centre (CIRIC) with European funding. This helped to resolve several design and structural aspects. With the granting of planning permission in 2008, a team will be given the task of construction and building- which will bring together knowledge and ability to deliver a site-built low impact structure which can be seen as a beacon of sustainability.
