Meristem Design was instructed by the London Borough of Hillingdon to create a solution to screening off some electrical cabinets at a parade of Shops in the borough.
As our streets evolve and expand, more equipment, often unsightly is needed to be installed on pavements and in public spaces. Not only does this reduce pedestrian space and access, it changes our streetscapes detrimentally.
Green screen: Urban aesthetic solution
Meristem Design's solution? A collection of custom-made, powder-coated steel planters with 1m Hedera Helix Ivy screening. As you can see from the before and after pictures, the screens provide instant screening and the planters provide a splash of colour and can have custom graphics installed. The planters, if needed, can be moved to allow engineer access at any time. The solution has hidden the cabinets, added some much-needed greening to the area and will help to improve air quality for pedestrians.
Green screens are perfect for screening all manner of unsightly items, such as; AC units, condenser units, electrical cabinets, feeder pillars, bollards and much more. Get in touch with us today to find out more about our variety of shapes, sizes and species available.
Benefits of Green Screens
However, the use of green screens isn't just limited to this one project; they are a modern design tool filled with many benefits that are important for tackling different urban design problems. Here, we lay out the many benefits of using green screens in urban design projects:
- Aesthetic Appeal: Unlike the stark appearance of conventional barriers, green screens bring a gentle, natural essence to urban landscapes, turning bland areas into welcoming spaces. Their lush green foliage contrasts beautifully with the often grey urban jungle.
- Customisation: As demonstrated in the case study, green screens can be customised to meet the specific needs of a project. The custom-made, powder-coated steel planters show a great example of the flexibility and aesthetic adaptability of green screens.
- Functional Screening: They serve as perfect shields to hide unsightly urban elements like electrical cabinets, AC units, and other utility installations. The practicality of this solution was well-illustrated in this project.
- Improved Air Quality: The vegetation in green screens acts as a natural filter, trapping dust and absorbing pollutants, which is a significant advantage in pollution-prone urban areas.
- Enhanced Public Spaces: By disguising utilities and reclaiming spaces, green screens contribute to making urban areas more pedestrian-friendly, thus enhancing the usability and accessibility of public spaces.
- Supporting Biodiversity: They can support urban biodiversity by providing habitats for various insects and birds, moving towards more ecologically balanced urban environments.
- Sound Dampening: The foliage can act as a natural sound barrier, contributing to noise reduction in bustling urban areas - a crucial benefit in densely populated cities.
- Low Maintenance: Once established, green screens require relatively low maintenance, making them a cost-effective choice for long-term urban projects.
