Set away from the traffic, in Hackney parkland, surrounded by mature trees is our new architect-designed eco-building: a perfect setting for small group meetings or training sessions. The building is part of Growing Communities’ Urban Market Garden: set within a walled garden where we grow organic salad vegetables, fruit and herbs for our Organic box scheme and Farmers Market. The wooden building is nestled at the end of the Allens Garden site, and has one comfortable open-plan space that can hold around 10-15 people. The building has huge French doors that open onto a decked area next to our wildlife pond. Designed in line with ecological principles the building also has a living sedum roof and a fully functional unisex composting toilet! Due to limited electric heating the building is more suitable for daytime warm weather use. It also has a small kitchenette - tea and coffee making facilities, electric hob, and organic Fair-trade tea and coffee are provided.

When the building is available

The building can be made available for hire during daylight hours on most days. Please contact us to discuss available dates and times or to discuss any aspect of building hire in more detail.

Hire rates

Hire rates for community organisations/social enterprises are as follows:

Weekdays – full day £100, half day £60 (am or pm)

Weekend - £120 per day

Corporate hire rates and longer term hire rates available on request.

About the living roof

The plants at Allens Garden aren’t just on the ground - they are up on the roof too! After months of work, our new building with its sedum covered roof is up and running. The roof is covered in a living mat of sedum plants which attract beneficial insects, butterflies and birds – so not only will this green roof increase the bio-diversity of the site but it will also help us sort out pests. The roof also helps the building to blend into its surroundings at the same time as providing a high level of insulation. The composting toilet  re-uses grey water from the kitchen and bathroom sinks on-site. The deck of the building overlooks our new pond and provides a peaceful space to look out onto the thriving vegetable beds and fruit trees!

By hiring our eco-building you are helping to support our projects; helping Growing Communities to provide local people with long-term, practical alternatives to the damaging food system that currently exists.

growcomm@growingcommunities.org