The Salvation Army construction program asked James Latham if Garnica would supply plywood for its project, and we did. Read the story of how Project Malachi in London built a plywood-based outdoor social space for the residents of the homeless shelter.
Garnica supplied 150m2 of Duraply plywood for The Salvation Army’s latest homeless accommodation project. Project Malachi is based in London (Ilford, to be precise) and opened its doors in February 2020. Comprising 42 colorful units, the accommodation provides a safe and friendly place for rough sleepers to lay their heads. It is the first initiative of its kind to provide shelter for people with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF).
So how did the project come about? The story is one of various individuals and companies working together on a shared goal: to create a space that was not only functional, but that also looks beautiful. While volunteering at Project Malachi, trainee architect George Fisher saw that the residents were missing something crucial: an outdoor space where they could kick back, have a chat, and enjoy the fresh air. Fisher therefore set about designing a social space alongside Malachi’s residents and U-Build, a revolutionary self-build flat-pack company specializing in modular buildings.
How did Garnica get involved in The Salvation Army construction program?
As time was tight, Fisher’s decision to collaborate with U-Build was a wise one. Not only would it speed up the design process, it would also accelerate the build: the flat-packs are simple structures that volunteers with minimal construction experience could easily put together. The simplicity came with the added benefit of making the project inclusive, opening it up to anyone who wanted to get involved.
Before the modules were built, however, a decision had to be made with regards to the materials. It was agreed that plywood was the right option, but selecting the perfect supplier was a little trickier. Fisher had collaborated with Lathams, a materials distributor, on a previous The Salvation Army construction and they immediately recommended Garnica, given our well-known commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and the exceptional quality of our plywood.
Garnica Duraply plywood
To guarantee the success of the project, the plywood needed to fulfill a function while also being highly resistant to the damp British weather, the London smog and constant usage. Garnica Duraply was the obvious choice. Thanks to an innovative treatment, the line is ultradurable for outdoor use, not only proving resistant to moisture, insect, and fungal damage, but also to impact and scratching. After all, it’s got a 15-year warranty for a reason.
The plywood panels chosen for Project Malachi are manufactured entirely from poplar – faces and core – grown in sustainable tree farms. Duraply is lightweight, stable, and easy to machine, making it the perfect choice for off-site fabrication and on-site installation. In total, Garnica donated 150m2 of Duraply to the project.
The new outdoor social space at The Salvation Army’s Project Malachi opened in May 2022, providing residents with a pleasant space to sit outside, unwind and socialize. Garnica is proud to have been able to play a part in the success of the project and looks forward to lending a hand in many more in the future.
If you’re keen to use Garnica Duraply plywood for your next outdoor construction project, discover more information about the line here.
