Arguing against long standing protocol within public space and horticulture.
We suggest structural complexity and topography is overlooked in landscape design and is more important than plant choice for driving biodiversity. Since starting the Grass Roof Company in 1998 we have designed and built over 400 small green-roof buildings, combining deep biodiverse green-roofs with walls featuring breeding and hibernation space.
We argue that we must invest in gardeners rather than more infrastructure. After 18 years caring for the greenspace on a social housing estate (Clapton Park) in London we have written a sustainable grounds maintenance contract that does just that.
We question our obsession with specifying topsoil in all new projects, especially on highways and new developments. Habitat trials at our home include a garden designed with spoil from the local road widening scheme, industrial and construction waste.
In 2008 we launched a range of small green roof shelters based on shipping containers and designed portable structures including bike and bin storage. greenroofshelters.co.uk
John can be contacted on Instagram @grassroofco or via email at grassroofcompany@gmail.com
our new trial garden using sands from local A13 road widening adding to the brownfield construction waste garden
Low fertility substrates. the answer to diverse plant communities and habitats in public space?
a recent podcast of me ranting my way through the last 20 years of my career
