gardens take shape at ‘the bindery’ in hatton garden, london

This month we are craning plants and materials into place to complete the final stages of the rooftop garden, terraces and courtyards.

Andy Sturgeon Design has been commissioned by Dorrington to create the green areas for this next-generation office building redesigned by Piercy & Co. These gardens will be an incredibly valuable space for the people who work here providing many health and wellbeing benefits and have been designed with a biophilic design ethos to bring people into close contact with nature
rooftops are not naturally hospital places for plants so species have been chosen carefully to flourish in this habitat. hailing from the Mediterranean as well as China, New Zealand and Australia what they have in common is an ability to tolerate wind, sun and being grown in containers. another key driver from the client was to make a biodiverse habitat that supports wildlife year-round.

And of course, it has to look good. there are bird boxes built into the architecture, insect hotels and nesting material dispensers. choosing plants that flower at different times of the year will ensure invertebrates always find nectar and things to eat. herbs and scented plants will enhance the sensory experience and people’s contact with nature when moving around the garden spaces. greenhouses pods have been included on the roof garden for people to enjoy the benefits of growing and nurturing things and offering the opportunity to spend collaborative time away from the desk. with biodiversity and wellbeing at the heart of the garden, this will be a tranquil oasis and a welcome refuge from the hubbub of hectic city life that surrounds it.