In June 2026, a previously traffic-dominated junction in Hackney was transformed into a permanent, interactive green space following our collaboration with Hackney Council.
The Brooke Road junction interactive rain garden replaces temporary LTN planters with two permanent rain gardens, creating a more welcoming and biodiverse environment for residents while continuing to manage traffic flow through the residential space.
From temporary planters to permanent interactive rain garden in Hackney
Meristem Design had previously maintained the temporary LTN planters at the junction joining Brooke Road and Evering Road, giving our team a detailed understanding of the site before integrating the permanent rain garden scheme. The transition reflects Hackney Council's broader commitments to creating safer, cleaner and quieter residential streets across the borough.
"It’s great to see this planting at a junction that used to have a high rate of collisions, how it’s a beautiful space that has brought the community together for watering sessions in the hot weather and is already regularly used as a place for people to rest and play.
I’ve seen all ages tap into their inner child’s imaginations and cross the space in inventive ways. It’s great when a public realm intervention can bring increased safety, cleaner air, flood protection and joy all at once."
Cllr Alastair Binnie-Lubbock
Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning and Inclusive Neighbourhoods
What does the Brooke Road Junction interactive rain garden include?
We included a custom planting design for the rain gardens as well as interactive features to create a more biodiverse and interactive green space.
LTN Planters on Brooke Road Junction - 2021
Colour-themed planting in the interactive rain garden in Hackney
The scheme features over 730 perennials, shrubs and ornamental grasses across the rain gardens, divided into four colour-themed planting zones:
- Green and white: featuring Anemone x hybrida 'Honorine Jobert', Libertia grandiflora and Euonymus japonicus 'Green Rocket'
- Yellow and orange: featuring Helenium 'Moerheim Beauty', Kniphofia 'Papaya' and Achillea 'Moonshine'
- Red and pink: Crocosmia 'Lucifer', Echinacea purpurea and Pittosporum 'Tom Thumb'
- Blue and purple: Salvia 'Amistad', Verbena bonariensis and Geranium 'Rozanne'
New rain garden scheme on the Brooke Road Junction
Interactive features and natural play elements
Stepping logs, stepping stones, decorative boulders and a balance beam have been integrated throughout the four planting zones to encourage residents of all ages to interact with the new residential landscape.
Sustainable drainage at Brooke Road junction interactive rain garden in Hackney
The rain gardens are deigned to capture and slow surface water runoff, reducing the risk of localised flooding and easing pressure on the existing drainage network. By replacing impermeable surfaces with planted green space, the scheme captures surface water runoff from all angles, and filters it, slowing its return back to the drainage network and therefore easing pressure on shared systems.
Impact of the Brooke Road Junction interactive rain garden
The completed scheme has delivered a range of environmental, community and streetscape benefits:
- A greener, more welcoming junction for residents, cyclists and pedestrians
- Valuable pollinator habitats supporting bees, butterflies and other insects throughout the seasons
- Improved surface water management through sustainable drainage
- A permanent community space with seasonal colour and interactive features for all ages
