The UK's Largest Plywood Flat-Pack Building at Ford Park

The UK’s largest plywood flat-pack building is taking shape right here at Ford Park in Ulverston!

Over 140 volunteers from around Ulverston have given their time and helped assemble the plywood structural frame and now, the professional builders are busy putting the finished sections up on site.

The building was designed by Architecture Unknown, who recently won two prizes at the Manchester Society of Architects Awards. One was Best Community Project, for their work on the CommUNITY Little Hulton Pavilion in Salford.

Ulverston-based Community Interest Company (CIC) Digital Woodoo, based in The Spot, has led on making the plywood components and putting the frame together, and Manchester-based construction company JCT Building Services (NW) Ltd is leading on everything else on site: preparation, groundworks, construction, fitting-out and handover.

Lots of people took part in assembling the plywood components. That included the park’s amazing team of volunteers, Furness Refugee Support, The Spot, Beaumont College, Church Walk School, 1st Ulverston Victoria Scouts, The Coro, retired submariners, Glaxo staff, Ulverston Ladies Tennis Club and lots of wonderful individuals who came along and gave their time to help with the build.

James Robinson, of Digital Woodoo, said, “WikiHouse does for construction what IKEA did for furniture. It’s created section by wooden section from pieces cut on our digital CNC router, which then slot together. The unconventional design means anyone who wants to volunteer can be part of the build, offering the opportunity for anyone to donate their sweat equity, and get stuck in.”

None of this would be happening without some very generous funders. The GSK Legacy Fund gifted £610,000 to Ford Park, with additional funding from Garfield Weston, Walney Windfarm operator Ørsted, and the National Lottery Community Fund.

Add in the 140 plus volunteers who gave their time, and we’re so proud to be creating a new community room, build for the community, by the community – it doesn’t get any better than that.

Thank you to everyone who has supported the build so far, we can’t wait to share more updates…