At ECE Architecture, we believe exceptional outcomes start with brilliant people. Sometimes that means lending our expertise to causes that deserve our support. We are proud to work with Apron Creative, helping them bring their transformative community farm to life in Lancing, West Sussex.
A vision worth getting behind
Apron Creative started with Lis Long, a local mum from Shoreham-by-Sea, who began with simple arts and crafts workshops. What she’s built since then is impressive – a thriving community garden that feeds local residents, schools, and food banks, while giving people a chance to get their hands dirty and reconnect with nature.
Now, Lis and her team are sizing up: to a regenerative community farm.
How we helped
When Apron Creative approached us with plans to transform an old equestrian centre into a community farm, we knew this was special. Our Associate, Martin Gray, worked directly with Lis to offer advice and expertise.
Martin and his team worked pro bono, visiting the site, providing planning advice, and creating the concept drawings they needed to move forward with this ambitious project.
More than just a farm
What evolved from those site visits and conversations with Lis is more than your typical farm. The Apron Community Farm design includes a market garden and orchard, with specially designed spaces for wellbeing sessions, education and children’s forest school, as well as natural ponds, and workshop spaces where traditional craftspeople can pass on their skills. Over the next five years, Lis plans to make the space a true community hub.
“We’re creating vibrant, inclusive green spaces where people from all walks of life can come together and thrive alongside nature.”
Why projects like this matter
This project represents what we believe architecture should do – create spaces that improve people’s lives. The partnership between Apron Creative and Adur District Council shows what’s possible when good ideas meet the right support, and we are proud to have played our part in getting this project off the ground.
It’s a reminder of why we do what we do. Sometimes the most rewarding work isn’t about the biggest budgets, but about using our skills to help good ideas become reality.
To support Apron Creative’s crowdfunding campaign and learn more about their Community Farm project, visit their crowdfunding page: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/apron-community-farm
