Ecology of Colour

Studio Weave has designed a colourful building to act as jolly custodian for this re-imagined park, bringing public function to a previously neglected corner of Dartford. The creation of two intertwined cycles has guided the project: the process of extracting colour dyes and using them for crafts, and the wildlife these plants attract.

Our proposal comprised of organising a programme of events based around dyeing and wildlife; a small building that provides flexible accommodation for these activities; and planting a meadow of flowers and vegetables that yield natural dyes and beckon wildlife.

The timber-clad structure is an outdoor classroom, art studio, bird-watching hide and park shelter all rolled into one. Shutters of various sizes on the upper floor allow for activities ranging from quiet, hidden wildlife spotting and nature drawing, to public events that spill out into the park. The pattern, called ‘Joy’, was designed and stained by graphic designers Nous Vous.