Transforming compact urban residential spaces for maximum impact
Client
Private Residence
Location
Sectors
Products & Services
Project overview
Meristem Design was commissioned to revitalise a private residential property on St Luke’s Street, transforming both its lower-ground courtyard and front-of-house areas. The existing spaces were functional but lacked greenery, year-round structure, and a sense of calm. With limited square footage, the project focused on making small urban spaces work harder – introducing thoughtful planting, refined planters, and layered textures to create a cohesive and uplifting environment for residents and visitors.
Goal
The primary goal was to enhance the property’s kerb appeal and create a tranquil courtyard retreat using a resilient, low-maintenance planting palette. The design needed to maximise visual impact within compact footprints, provide interest across all seasons, and introduce evergreen structure alongside delicate moments of colour and scent.
Scope
Delivering a lower-ground courtyard transformation, including new trough planting to bring life into a previously underused space. Meristem Design added front-of-house planters and window boxes to elevate the building’s street presence and unify the façade.
Solutions
Each design element was selected to suit microclimates, maximise greenery within limited space and deliver a unified, long-lasting planting scheme across multiple levels of the property.
Courtyard trough planting for a shaded space
Shade-tolerant species such as Trachelospermum jasminoides, Sarcococca, Liriope ‘Monroe White’, Helleborus and ferns created a lush, layered courtyard with year-round interest.
Feature planting in terracotta vases
Three elegant white-flowering evergreens - Pittosporum ‘Silver Queen’, Viburnum ‘Eve Price’ and white Camellia japonica - were used to form focal points with seasonal highlights.
Front-of-house mediterranean-inspired planters
A resilient and fragrant mix of Rosmarinus prostratus, Armeria, and Olea europaea refreshed the building frontage and introduced texture and structure.
Vertical greening through inset and window box planting
Taxus, Liriope, Hedera, Santolina and Euonymus shaped the inset planters, while upper-floor window boxes combined Teucrium, Calluna, Armeria and trailing rosemary to soften the façade.
Impact
The transformation lifted the property’s aesthetic, increased everyday enjoyment for residents and showed how strategic planting can turn modest urban spaces into functional, attractive green assets.
An enhanced living environment
Residents now enjoy calming garden views from every level, with evergreen texture and seasonal blooms enhancing wellbeing year-round.
Improved kerb appeal and street presence
The refreshed frontage strengthens the visual character of the property and contributes positively to the streetscape on St Luke’s Street.
Effective use of small urban spaces
The project demonstrates how compact courtyards, narrow recesses and window ledges can deliver meaningful greening with the right plant palette.
Long-lasting, low-maintenance planting
Resilient species ensure the scheme thrives with minimal upkeep, supporting sustained impact and longevity for the client.
Before
After
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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.
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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.
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