Botanical Illustration is a valuable artform that blends scientific and artistic expression to capture the essence of plant life in intricate detail. Despite its significance in botanic discovery and classification, this skill is scarcely taught within UK institutions.

Inspired by the ‘Nottingham Catchfly’, a flower absent within the region since the 1930s, this project pitches a proposal for ‘The Catchfly – School of Botanical Art’. This establishment is a unique combination of an Art School and Botanic Centre, situated on a green site of scientific heritage within the heart of Nottingham’s expanding Creative Quarter. While celebrating the values of conservation, art and science, the school’s vision aims to nurture the next generation of artists, to cultivate their skills and contribute to the preservation of our natural environment.

The proposal is defined by the central, communal atrium, filled with conserved species of flowers and plants. Three ‘Catchfly’ inspired columns support the structure, while gently reminding users of the scheme’s core values, while an active façade offers a smooth transition between inside and outside, allowing the atrium to become part of the outdoor experience