Bradford Organic Communities Services

Budget

£250k

Wibsey Community Gardens in Bradford is already a vibrant hub, featuring productive growing areas, informal seating, and ScrapMagic, a creative reuse shop in a repurposed portakabin. The community sought a new facility to consolidate these activities, support social engagement and expand practical programming while remaining true to the garden’s grassroots, sustainable ethos.

The proposal introduces a modest but impactful WikiHouse café and workshop, designed to sit comfortably within the gardens’ existing layout. Clad in a mix of corrugated metal and timber, the structure references the functional vernacular of garden buildings while adding warmth and tactility. Skylights punctuate the pitched roof, filling the interior with natural light, and the roof is angled to accommodate future solar panels, supporting long-term sustainability.

Internally, the space is flexible and adaptable. The café and workshop form a central hub, with a compact servery-style kitchen connected to the existing kitchen via a covered walkway. A large bifold partition allows the space to expand or contract, accommodating everything from quiet toddler mornings to hands-on workshops, community feasts, and seasonal events.

The existing ScrapMagic portakabin will be replaced with a new unit generously donated by Portakabin, refurbished internally to provide a refreshed retail space and administrative office, supporting the operational needs of the gardens. Outdoor improvements, including new picnic benches and reconfigured seating, extend the building’s influence into the garden, strengthening its role as a social and civic anchor.