This month (April 2014) Thrive staff will move into a fantastic new centre in Battersea Park along East Carriage Way. Gardeners, staff, volunteers, local supporters and trustees were given a peak inside the building on a sunny afternoon in April.

Thrive is a local charity based in Battersea Park which helps disabled and disadvantaged Londoners use gardening to improve their lives.

The centre has replaced old portable buildings used by the charity for some years and which were no longer fit for purpose.

Architects Pedder & Scampton worked closely with Thrive horticultural therapists, service users and volunteers when designing the building which has resulted in a building which has an office, adaptable training room and classroom, tool and boot storage, toilet and shower facilities, kitchen with a cooker so we can embrace the 'sow it, grow it, eat it’ philosophy, which all open onto an orangery which spans the front of the building.

The shape of the building is curved around the large London Plane tree that dominates the site. The curved roof and rear wall, which are both slate finished, and the more open glass walled orangery to the inside of the curve creates a building with a distinctive appearance.

The centre is designed to be low maintenance and has robust finishes inside and out. The design means that the orangery can be used as a work room with big open doors allowing the gardeners to come and go all day without needing to worry about shutting doors or wiping boots.

In bad weather two up and over garage doors can be pulled down but the glass of the orangery allows the light to remain.

Thrive was keen for the new build to be as environmentally friendly as possible, whilst maintaining the practical element for users. The large tree at the site means that using solar power and ground source heat pumps were not possible.

The centre is heated using an air source heat pump and has been positioned to take the maximum benefit from solar gain, incorporates solar shading where overheating might be an issue, and works with natural ventilation adjusted by manually operated opening flaps.

Rainwater is collected from the main roof for plant watering. The materials used are timber and natural slate with a recycled aggregate specified for the concrete.

Kathryn Rossiter, Thrive’s Chief Executive, said: "It is fantastic for our gardeners and the extra space will allow us to help more people.

"It is a flagship building for us on East Carriage Drive which is already attracting the interest of many passers-by.

"We plan to increase the number and variety of plants and herbs we can use and sell to members of the public. We are in such a fantastic position to sell our produce on this main thoroughfare and look forward to welcoming people."

Thrive remains grateful to the many people who have donated funds towards the cost of the building.

"Our challenge now is to raise funds to create a beautiful but functional garden around the building," added Kathryn.

"We will be working as closely as possible to a design by Sarah Price which will make fantastic use of the space."

Councillor Jonathan Cook, the council’s cabinet member for environment and culture, said: "We are happy to be able to support the valuable services Thrive offers by providing a space in Battersea Park in which gardeners, volunteers and staff can work.

"They have helped thousands of people with disabilities over the years and long may that continue."

Based on information supplied by Alyson Chorley.