This project is an amendment to the consented scheme of a residential development in the Fairfield city block in Croydon, London. Far too much demolition is undertaken in this proposal, and thus this project suggests retaining the Barclay Road Annex through adaptive reuse.

Following the pandemic, the developer of this proposal has realised the importance of additional spaces in a residential development due to lockdowns and the shift to working from home, as well as the effect of these spaces on mental health and performance. In partnership with the Royal Horticultural Society, the developer wants to test the idea of biophilic-led regeneration to tackle these post-pandemic dynamics, as well as to improve air quality in response to Croydon Council’s 2040 vision.

Thus, the existing building on Barclay Road will be retrofitted to offer a farm-to-table restaurant, marketplace and biophilic community workspaces. Extended structures, built from engineered timber and re-used car windscreens, surround the building and host tropical and dry climate conservatories with exciting plants and activities.