Ecology of Colour

Studio Weave were commissioned to develop proposals for the activation of a corner of Ecology Island which suffered from misuse. The brief placed an emphasis on developing proposals through community engagement, and creating a meaningful educational resource.

The Ecology of Colour is a small building that provides flexible accommodation for a programme of events and workshops based around natural resources and wildlife. The inaugural series of activities included: planting a meadow of flowers and growing vegetables that yield natural dyes and beckon wildlife. The initial series led to the foundation of a friends’ group, which firmly rooted the project’s activities in its local community.

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The colourful timber-clad structure - patterned with ‘Joy’ by graphic designers Nous Vous - can act as: an outdoor classroom, art studio and workshop, bird-watching hide, tree house and park shelter all rolled into one. Shutters of various sizes on the upper floor allow for activities ranging from quiet, hidden bird watching, and nature drawing workshops, to public events that spill out into the park.

Ecology of Colour won three RIBA awards including South East Building of the Year 2013, this building is part of a project to bring public function to a neglected corner of Dartford Park, now re-named Ecology Island. - - -