Flora Gardens Primary School

Meristem Design collaborated with Hammersmith and Fulham Council to deliver a range of SuDS planters across schools in the borough. Building on our previous school projects with the council, the work at Flora Gardens Primary demonstrates how flood resilience and biodiversity can be combined with interactive learning to create safer, more resilient school environments.

As part of the council’s wider SuDS scheme, this planter installation aimed to reduce flood risk at the primary school while creating interactive green features for pupils. The overall goal was to combine functional design with learning, supporting climate resilience and the stewardship of the next generation.

The project spanned all corners of the primary school playground and outdoor space. 11 SuDS planters were connected to the building’s downpipes to ensure the practical use of roof runoff. Four of the planters featured integrated seating, providing additional resting spaces for students.

Our team also ran interactive planting workshops with some of the pupils to engage them with the new SuDS features and teach practical planting skills.

The design and placement of the SuDS planters were crucial in ensuring benefits for both students and teachers, as well as the wider school environment. By connecting the planters to the downpipes, the project aimed to provide significant flood relief. In addition, engaging children in the installation process helped integrate both fun and functional features across the school grounds.

The project has had a positive impact on both the school environment and its users by combining sustainable drainage with educational and wellbeing benefits. By integrating SuDS features, planting, and seating, the scheme supports flood resilience, biodiversity, and a more engaging outdoor space for students and staff.