Pedder & Scampton was commissioned to design a new training building for the activities of this national charity in Battersea Park, London. A collection of ramshackle huts and portacabins were being used to provide services for horticultural therapy to people with learning, physical, sensory impairment and mental health disabilities. The building was to be as sustainable as possible, so we initially carried out solar studies and an environmental anaylsis to determine the optimum position for a building on the site. The design process also included consultation with the user group, therapists, management, Trustees of the charity and the Local Authority. Our design creates a landmark building for the charity as their London base, and includes internal and external training rooms, an office and teaching rooms.

A bespoke curve-walled 'shed' is the most recent addition to the Thrive site. Sliding doors double as display areas when open making the shed a visually striking shop for Thrives's on site plant sales.

'We wanted a building with a wow factorand which said something about Thrive and its ethos but the budget was tight and the site sensitive and difficult. From the outset, Gill and Helen understood what we wanted. They took time to talk to our clients and volunteers and although they did all the hard work and had the inspiration, it felt like a real partnership! It was a pleasure to work with them.'Susan Stuart, Interim Chief Executive, Thrive