Enfield's Solar Powered Parklet: The first of its kind in the UK
Client
Enfield Council
Location
Sectors
Products & Services
Project overview
Meristem Design partnered with Enfield Council to deliver the UK’s first solar-powered parklet – a multifunctional public space that supports outdoor working, cycling, and climate resilience on a busy high street. The project showcases how small-scale interventions can activate local high streets, encourage dwell time, and demonstrate practical sustainable innovation that benefit communities.
Goal
To design and build a fully self-sustaining parklet that provides device charging, lighting, seating and bike parking, all powered by solar energy, while enhancing the environmental quality and vibrancy of the high street.
Scope
Enfield Council asked Meristem Design to design and build a solar powered Parklet to be piloted on their high street. They wanted the Parklet to be able to charge up devices such as mobile phones, tablets and PC’s allowing people to use the Parklet to work from. We also installed tall café style tables and stools on one section of the Parklet, as well as bike parking facilities. The roof section also includes a green roof to absorb rainwater and allows excess water to feed the planters below.
Solutions
Meristem combined renewable energy, climate-resilient planting, workspace design and travel infrastructure to create a compact, multifunctional, self-sustaining public amenity.
Solar-powered infrastructure
Meristem designed an integrated solar roof system, the first of its kind, capable of providing power for charging points (for mobiles, tablets, laptops) and evening lighting.
Green roof for rainwater absorption
A planted green roof sits above the structure, capturing rainwater and reducing runoff. Excess water is channelled down to feed the planters below, creating a low-maintenance, climate-resilient planting system.
Work-ready design
Tall café-style tables and stools were installed to support outdoor working and remote working patterns.
Encouraging active travel
Cycle parking was incorporated into the parklet, supporting Enfield’s wider ambition to promote cycling and sustainable transport links.
Impact
The parklet delivers environmental benefits, support to the local economy and improved public realm usability – creating a scalable model for modern, sustainable high streets.
National first
The project delivered the UK’s first solar-powered parklet with an integrated green roof, showcasing sustainable urban innovation.
Economic uplift
Parklets have been shown to increase local business revenue by up to 30% by increasing footfall and dwell time.
Improved environmental performance
The green roof and planters enhance biodiversity, support rainwater absorption, and improve local microclimate.
Enhanced high street vibrancy
The parklet provides a high-quality space for working, relaxing and meeting, encouraging more people to spend time on the high street.
View gallery
Featured products, landscapes & services
Parklets
Parklets help transform our streets from car dominated environments to community hubs. Providing space for people to sit and relax, parklets boost biodiversity, support businesses and encourages active travel.
Custom Planters
Combining functionality with a style that fits any aesthetic, each planter is crafted with care to suit your location and enhance the space. Helping to add greenery to both indoor and outdoor areas, planters create welcoming spaces that benefit people, businesses and the environment.
Green Roofs
Green roofs, also known as living roofs, bring nature to the rooftops of our cities. They offer an effective and beautiful way to manage rainfall, save energy, boost biodiversity and improve air quality.
Design
We specialise in designing beautiful, sustainable urban greening solutions and products that bring nature into public, commercial and residential spaces. From concept to final design, we work closely with clients to ensure that every element is crafted to meet their unique needs, aesthetic preferences, and sustainability goals.
Fabrication
We provide high-quality, in-house fabrication services tailored to the needs of urban greening projects. Composed of skilled welders and carpenters, our fabrication team brings each project from concept to completion using precision and exceptional craftsmanship.
Get in touch
If you like what you've seen in our case study and want to learn more about how this could work in your setting, please get in touch.
"*" indicates required fields