Installation of HAVEN a garden for wildlife at Southbank Centre, London

Installing the irrigation system for HAVEN, Southbank Centre, London

I’m still pinching myself after an amazing week mainly spent on an inaccessible roof balcony of the Queen Elizabeth Hall at the Southbank Centre creating a pocket meadow for wildlife.  From the very start it has been a joy to collaborate with artists Denman + Gould, and I hope this is just the start of many collaborations together. 

Installing the timber frame that supports the planting, designed to create slopes so that the planting can be seen from ground level.

I have always loved the Southbank Centre so it was incredible to spend a week fully immersed in it.  For me it brings together the very best of London; diversity, creativity and vibrant positive energy.

Installing the Geocell membrane to stabilise the layer of low nutrient soil for the wildflowers

At times the install literally felt like a mountain to climb (in my harness) but we did it within the schedule and budget, aided by the ‘can do’ attitude of the SBC staff and especially with the support of our curators Cedar Lewisohn and Mark Healy.

Cedar Lewisohn, curator with the hand-carved nesting pods by Denman+Gould

We can’t wait to see the project evolve as the wildflowers settle in and grow up.  HAVEN will be open from 8 June - 3 September, it’s part of a programme of events called Plant Summer, exploring the theme of caring as a form of resistance in relation to climate change.

Thanks to Jacob Woolnough and Jason Andcand for their work on the carpentry and installation of the nesting pods.  Thanks to Vic Impey for his help with the planting and irrigation system.  We are also very grateful to Wildflower Turf for their support of the project.

Photo credits: Denman+Gould