A season of growth: summer round-up
SuDS planters, parklets, and rooftop gardens - this summer we have been busy designing, implementing, and maintaining green infrastructure across the nation. From schools, to town centres, to festivals, the Meristem team have come up with innovative solutions to solve common urban environmental challenges. Spanning all sectors, this article will highlight some key projects we have undertaken this season.
Education
Supporting the growth and development of the next generation is integral to our work. We love working with schools to create spaces for children to learn about the importance of biodiversity, sustainable drainage and to connect with nature, of course! Over the past few months we have completed some fun projects including running nature workshops.
Thornton Heath Primary School: A key school installation was our interactive nature garden designed for a primary school in Thornton Heath. Complete with bug hotels, a pergola and log steps, the garden provides a fun and engaging opportunity for students to get some well-needed fresh air whilst learning about different species of both plants and animals.
Nature Workshops: We have also hosted numerous nature workshops at different schools across the capital in which we aim to educate and inform children about the importance of biodiversity and plant life. In these workshops we offer hands-on planting sessions where students are encouraged to select seeds, plant them with our guidance, and nurture them over time. Through this, children develop a real sense of pride and ownership of the green spaces they help to create, which we believe is essential for the future keepers of our urban spaces.
Local Authorities
At Meristem, we have completed extensive work with multiple councils and authoritative bodies up and down the country, tailoring each project to the needs of the community to enhance public experience.
Blackpool: We collaborated with Blackpool Council to bring new life to the city centre. Custom planters that double up as seating now line key streets that host the shopping and leisure facilities of the city. The planters contain a curated mix of plants that bloom during different seasons to support biodiversity and air quality whilst maintaining consistent visual interest. These planters not only reinforce environmental improvements but they modernise the streetscape and invite the public to sit and relax.
We have been busy installing rain gardens in the capital to help manage rainwater run off and prepare communities for the upcoming wet season. These SuDS features don't just tackle flooding, they add greenery and biodiversity to the local area.
BIDs
Working with BIDs gives us the chance to enhance communities and boost local businesses, strengthening an area's cultural identity and experience.
Culture Mile BID: Notably, this summer we helped deliver a public realm enhancement project designed by Culture Mile in partnership with Publica. Working along the stretch of the iconic Culture Mile, we created and installed custom planters at 4 strategic sites. This project involved Culture Mile's Big Plant Out Day where we got stuck in with volunteers to brighten up vital public areas such as Barts Health NHS Trust and enhance community engagement.
Commercial
Commercial projects often come with interesting challenges that bring about innovative urban solutions.
RHS Garden Festival/ Walton Parklet: In June, we exhibited our parklet design at the RHS Garden Festival. Winning a silver medal, this parklet consisted of modular seating components and vibrant custom planters in the space of a singular parking bay, demonstrating how we can repurpose grey spaces to make them. The project was designed in mind with the needs of the Walton-On-Thames community and Surrey County Council where it was later transported and fitted into a linear structure along a pedestrian-heavy street. With the planters and seating components laid out in strategic intervals, cars were restricted from parking on the street which created a more pedestrian-friendly environment.
Residential
Working in the residential sector requires more than just creating and installing spaces to meet residents' needs, but also the upkeep of these spaces. This Summer, our dedicated maintenance team have been performing essential work to sustain our residential planters, drainage systems and green spaces, keeping them vibrant and thriving particularly during hot, dry weather. Working on rooftops, living walls and even homes, maintenance is not just vital in supporting local biodiversity but also for enriching the daily experience of residents and visitors alike.
One of our warmest and busiest yet, this summer has challenged us to adapt every step of the way to keep our projects thriving. In the coming months, we are looking forward to upcoming events and collaborations, follow our socials to stay up to date.
