Dickens Yard, London

Courtyard with rolling mounds made from grass surrounded by residential blocks
project profile data
Area: ca. 600 m²
Construction year: 2017
Architect: John Thompson & Partner (JTP), London
Landscape architect: Randle Siddeley Associates, London
Landscape contractor: Kingston Landscape Group Ltd., Twickenham
System build-up: “Roof Garden” and “Heather with Lavender” with Floradrain® FD 40-E
“Sedum Carpet“ with Floradrain® FD 25-E
Project report

A former council-owned public car park was transformed into a high-density mixed-use development in the heart of Ealing, London, including retail space, private apartments, as well as public realm with a shopping street and a public square. And all this in the centre of a conservation area with various listed buildings nearby such as Christ the Saviour church, the Town Hall and Ealing Fire station. Apart from a sedum roof on one of the buildings, podium courtyards and rooftop terraces had to be greened. On the roof terraces, planters were installed with Floradrain® FD 40-E forming the heart of the build-up system. These were greened with a variety of small trees and shrubs with low maintenance requirements. The residential courtyards come in a variety of styles, one with an open design with eye-catching rolling mounds of artificial grass, and another smaller yard with large trees, dense hedging and a wooden pergola. All plantings were based on ZinCo build-ups with Floradrain® FD 40-E combined with “Roof Garden” or “Heather with Lavender” system substrate.

  • Courtyard with benches, lawn and small trees surrounded by residential blocks
    Integrated benches invite the residents to linger.
  • Planters with small trees and shurbs surrounded by multi-storey buildings
    Floradrain FD 40-E forms the heart of the build-up system of the planters with small trees and shrubs.
  • Courtyard with rolling mounds made from grass surrounded by residential blocks
    The courtyard is designed with rolling mounds of artificial grass.
  • View from above onto the courtyard surrounded by high-rise buildings
    Residents can enjoy the green space from different heights.
  • A wooden pergola with creepers and planters
    A wooden pergola enhances the courtyard and enables the growth of flowering creepers.
  • Roof garden with lawn and small trees with a view onto a church
    One of the greened roof terraces offers a wonderful view onto the listed Christ the Saviour church.
  • Bird's eye view onto a sedum roof in the city
    A green roof with sedum matting and aluminium edging was installed on one of the buildings.
  • Bird's eye view into a green courtyard and a basketball court
    The courtyard also provides an outdoor basketball court.
  1. Courtyard with benches, lawn and small trees surrounded by residential blocks
  2. Planters with small trees and shurbs surrounded by multi-storey buildings
  3. Courtyard with rolling mounds made from grass surrounded by residential blocks
  4. View from above onto the courtyard surrounded by high-rise buildings
  5. A wooden pergola with creepers and planters
  6. Roof garden with lawn and small trees with a view onto a church
  7. Bird's eye view onto a sedum roof in the city
  8. Bird's eye view into a green courtyard and a basketball court