Lovania Nurseries sets design challenge for new recreational and canteen facilities.
Staff at a Tarleton horticulture nurseries will soon be enjoying their break times in plush new surroundings thanks to students from the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan).
Family-run Lovania Nurseries Ltd has worked with third year architecture students to design new recreational and canteen facilities for its staff to enjoy.
The company, which grows plants and bulbs for UK garden centres and major retailers, teamed up with UCLan for a week-long design competition for students. The winning design focuses on flexible space, a multi-entrance dining facility, al fresco furniture and long dining room tables for staff to socialise together.
"Its design has communication and community at its core – providing a comfortable, informal space where personnel from all departments can mix, share ideas and catch up with inter-departmental activity at break times."
Head of Purchasing at Lovania Paul Rossington said: “The winning design will now form the basis of construction plans to bring the new facilities to life in 2017. The staff centre will provide both a meeting place and a communal area for mealtimes and social interaction. Its design has communication and community at its core – providing a comfortable, informal space where personnel from all departments can mix, share ideas and catch up with inter-departmental activity at break times.
“We are eager to see it taking shape on site here at Lovania’s main site. It is an exciting prospect for us and the world of architecture.”
Winning team member Oly Hamilton said: “It was great to work on a real project for a client who will take our ideas forward. We all got a great insight into how the design process works in industry and although it was a very intensive few days, it felt great to win the competition and receive positive immediate feedback.”
The winning team was made up of six third year architecture students: Yousif Saeed Al-khafajy, Marvin Edwards, Atessa Ghiassi, Oliver Hamilton, Ella Leonie Holicki, and Jordan Shaw.