The Cherry Store

As a sustainability advisor and a new mother, the client’s priority was to practice what they preach and commission a responsible design to make them proud both professionally and as a parent. The architectural response to this brief was to combine outstanding thermal performance and circular design approach; whilst creating an aesthetically pleasing, serene space for rest and play. Three elevations of the cherry store are pierced with unique, scattered windows. Opening up the space into a single room, exposing the pitched roof and forming a half-depth mezzanine, has ensured a feeling of connectivity and a tremendous quality of light in the space throughout the day. Reclaimed materials include terracotta tiles from a derelict building, discarded Victorian floorboards from another TAK project, and original doors from the client’s childhood home. Kitchen and bathroom tiles, as well as the paint used, were also left over from other projects. The metal balustrade was made in a small local workshop just 10 miles away from the site. Raw plaster walls create a calming atmosphere. The use of natural and recycled materials add to the character of the space. Reuse and staying true to materials are key themes of the project, and also played a vital role in keeping to a modest budget. ‘Reclaimed’ and ‘sustainable’ can be seen as words attributed to something aesthetically inferior, though boasting of environmental performance. This project demonstrates that that does not have to be the case. Environmental accountability and circular design also contributed to the project's distinct character.