McLaren collaborated with construction companies Bam and Kier to deliver an outdoor classroom area for a local school in Islington. With the help of Community Wood, a national wood recycling organisation, the three contractors were able to create a new space for the children at Blessed Sacrament School.

McLaren, Bam and Kier set out to find the most environmentally friendly ways to source the materials for the building and contacted the National Community Wood Recycling Project (NCWRP). The organisation was founded in 2003 with the thought to help and develop a nationwide network of wood recycling social enterprises. Community Wood is helping the construction industry become more eco-efficient by collecting left over wood from construction sites and repurposing them. They were able to provide recycled pieces of wood to build the outdoor learning area.

Sally Fraser, McLaren’s Environmental System’s Manager commented:
“It is important we support the communities we operate in and provide solutions in the most environmentally friendly way. Teaming up with the other contractors and Community Wood is a brilliant example of collaboration to help out local establishments around our projects.”

She added: “As a company we realise the impact we have on the environment. If we can commit to reducing this by engaging with social enterprises such as Community Wood, we are not only supporting upskilling and employment from within the local community, we are also able to significantly reduce our carbon footprint. “

The new outdoor learning area helps students experience a more natural learning environment and creates a space that enables playing and learning to flow seamlessly between indoors and outdoors. It is a gathering place for students and teachers in both educational and recreational circumstances, and provides an opportunity to integrate nature into school life.

McLaren, Bam and Kier are contractors on the King’s Cross redevelopment, working with developer Argent. McLaren is delivering a residential development at plot Luma (R3) comprising 62 apartments ranging from one to four bedrooms, due to be completed in Q2 2020.