News
On behalf of the London Borough of Lambeth, we embarked on a mission to design, construct, and install over 520 meters of 1.8m tall Hedera screens at 16 schools within 4 months, targeting pollution-affected areas. Our comprehensive approach included initial surveys, bespoke design, construction, and a 12-month maintenance plan, alongside essential training and handover for school staff, to protect students from air pollution and enhance environmental education.
Meristem Design partnered with the London Borough of Hillingdon to tackle the visual clutter posed by electrical cabinets in a local shopping precinct. The clever solution? Bespoke, powder-coated steel planters adorned with robust Hedera Helix Ivy forming aesthetic green screens. This initiative not only veiled the unsightly cabinets, but also enriched the locale with a dash of nature.
Last week Meristem installed three Parklets on St Mary’s Axe, in the City of London, as part of the Active City Network initiative by the City of London Corporation.
The aim of the initiative is to utilise pedestrianisation and green infrastructure in urban design to create cleaner, safer, and more pleasant public spaces for the 513,000 workers in the city to enjoy - with a view to encouraging a healthier and more active lifestyle.
Meristem were at the forefront of the Mayor of London’s new drive to clean up our city’s air last week - installing green screens, as well as some other planting, in three schools around London during half term.
Wyvil Primary School in South Lambeth, Robin Hood Junior School in Sutton, and Christopher Hatton Primary School in Holborn are now the happy beneficiaries of our urban greening, providing a cleaner and healthier environment for their pupils to learn and play in.
The classic K6 BT box, designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, was a familiar sight on the streets of the United Kingdom from 1926.
In 2006 the K2 telephone box was voted one of Britain's top 10 design icons along with another red favourite, the Routemaster bus. Due to a significant drop in their use since and the invention of the mobile phones the classic red BT telephone kiosks are unloved, unused and unfortunately being removed or sold into private use throughout the UK.
However there are still some left on our streets - we have repainted and greened up 2 of them. With a fresh splash of BT red paint we have added a steel planter, 2 large Trachelospermum, jasminoides, Vinca minor, Hedera helix and muehlenbeckia to two telephone boxes in Archway, Islington.
