Opportunity
After several months of social distancing measures and the steady relaxation of Covid restrictions we were tasked by one of our Placemaking clients to bring some seasonal change to their renowned canal steps. An ever popular dwelling spot, for locals, commuters and passers-by it was important to enhance the sites function as a social space, particularly with longer, warmer days on the horizon!
Ambition
To provide visitors with a serene, garden-like space to welcome in the recent Covid relaxation whilst still maintaining a design that allows for socially distanced meetings of small groups. Inspired by the seasonal changes of Spring our installation integrates both nature and community spirit. Most importantly whilst the activation is only remaining live for a few months, sustainability has remained a central value to our designs to ensure longevity and integrity to everything we create.
How
Our talented team put their creative heads together to design a pop-up garden combined with ergonomic seating, to provide the perfect spot for some spring-time lounging among the flower beds. We salvaged timber from a past site which we lovingly restored and upcycled to create the planter and seating assets. Inspired by nature, our designs incorporated organic shapes to soften the urban space, through our raised planter beds which we made from vertically clad timber planks that sprawled across the giant steps. The reclaimed softwood pine was also used to construct the generously proportioned lounger seats which we responsibly distanced around the site. In order to contrast the vibrant green astro turf and to show-off the beauty of the reclaimed materials we kept 90% of the wood in its natural state, only enhanced by a deep varnish, and painted only the lounger side panels with a lime green to add a pop of spring colour. The crowning jewel to the design was of course the beautiful perennials emerging from the planter beds providing a sea of greenery and pops of colour.