Nourish Hub (LB Hammersmith & Fulham)

During the design and construction stages, and following 6 months of operation the project delivered the following outcomes aligned with mayoral priorities;

Getting London back on its feet

• 20 jobs created
• 1,687 people participating in the project
• 35 community events
• 29 volunteering opportunities
• 2 people progressing into work

Tackling the climate emergency

• 9,478 sqm of green improvements
• 386 sqm of interior space retrofitted
• 5 vacant shop units on the high street were brought back into use
• 25 sustainable urban drainage (SUDs) areas installed
• 87 residents improving environmental performance
• 10,414 meals served
• 1 tonne of carbon saved from food waste
• 1 e-cargo bike delivering meals to Hammersmith residents

Opportunities for young Londoners

• 1,230 lunches and healthy snacks served to local children
• 130 children in the summer programme learning about food waste, growing, cooking, and the environment

This project demonstrates the coming together of a partnership (including GLA, LB Hammersmith & City, UK Harvest and Groundwork) to address the unique opportunity to do something that the local community really needed. This need was the provision of employment and training opportunities and the creation of a more cohesive and sustainable community. This was envisaged to include upskilling local charitable organisations to pass on skills to their clients, as well as facilitating employment opportunities within the private sector.

A brief was developed to select a design team (led by RCKa) who would work with the community and partners to deliver the Nourish Hub. This brief included approaches that sought to secure improved food access for the most vulnerable, in turn improving purchasing and preparation behaviours for future self-sufficiency, independence, better physical and mental health, and improved life habits.

The design team selected for this project was picked for their proposals that focused on including local people and future users, and an events-based programme which captured the link between engagement and design and how to connect it back to the theme of food. It was a collaborative process between the lead practice, and the key stakeholders, who all attended every event.

Each part of the engagement process had a tangible output manifested in the final space – this included the design for tiles, a ceiling mural, glazing, and other design features such as colour and furnishings. Focused sessions ran alongside larger events, for example, a special photography session with children to shape the ceiling mural, and planting clinics with residents onsite. The priority was to keep people engaged while informing the design process.

Delivery Partner: London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham

Project Partners: Groundwork, UK Harvest

Project management:  Inner Circle Consulting

Strategic brief:  Inner Circle Consulting

Business plan:  Inner Circle Consulting, UK Harvest

Architect: RCKa Architects

Structural engineer: Conisbee

M&E consultant: Milieu Consult

QS: Measur

Principal designer: RCKa Architects

Main contractor: Carmelcrest

Kitchen consultant: Bettaquip

Graphic design: Bandiera

Mural artist: Alessandra Tortone

• New London Awards 2021 Mayors Prize
• New London Awards 2021 Special Prize - Community
• RIBAJ MacEwen Award - Architecture for the Common Good