Wolves Lane, Tottenham

Material Cultures architect group have a long association with HG Matthews and have used Strocks at The Design Museum and numerous other sites. The project is revitalising the Wolves Lane Centre in Wood Green – a former council-run plant nursery and garden centre taken on in 2017 by a consortium of community organisations and volunteers. The team have added four low-carbon buildings to the site, constructed from bio-based materials including clay, straw and locally sourced timber. The scheme focuses on growing and distributing ‘wholesome food’ and engaging local communities in education, enterprise and events.

The project is billed as a ‘replicable model for community-led market gardens’ and is backed by the Mayor of London’s Good Growth-funded Market Garden City programme. This aims to develop plots for local food production, distribution and kitchens which also offer access to green space, training, volunteering and employment. Strocks and clay mortar were used in two of the buildings which compliment the earth plasters perfectly as well as the other structural elements of straw and timber.