Oliver Garland

The Nurse's Folly, Greyfriars Christchurch, City of London

Planted within a landscape of rich Baroque ruin, the Nurse’s Folly is situated deep within the roots of the City of London. The arch was employed as a key element of the architectural language of the project through its ability to act as a distinct and yet welcoming boundary, a threshold into the haven of the Nurse’s Folly, creating a series of vistas and viewpoints with the intention of grounding and softening the building for the users within the raw environment of the city. 

The sentiment of the historic garden folly provided a theoretical framework in telling the story of the landscape, and reasoning in designing for the people. The Nurse’s Folly acts as a portal for the staff of the neighbouring St. Bartholomew’s Hospital to retreat to in times of difficulty, stress or fatigue; ‘Code Lavender’ as it is formally regarded.

The Folly sensitively develops the site in a contemporary yet familiar design language, utilising the existing structure and boundaries of the site whilst respecting its integrity. A palette of natural and recyclable materials reacts to the honest nature and typology of the existing church ruin, as well assisting in achieving environmental sustainability and well-being.