To celebrate Earth Day 2023, a team of local organisations have banded together in Nottingham to create the city’s first modular ‘Parklet’ green space. The new green space is a welcome addition to Sussex Street, an area that has seen significant investment and remodelling in recent years.
The Team
The team behind this new green space includes Nottingham College, Nottingham BID, Leonard Design Architects and Pulse Consultants who are organising the delivery, heavy loading and Health & Safety. The Parklet aims to create a space that can be used by Nottingham College culinary students, also to create a space for the public to meet, pass-through, explore, sit and rest, and seek shade on hotter days.
The Design
Leonard Design Architects collaborated with local manufacturers and community partners to design and construct modular planters made from 100% recycled plastic. The planters feature hardy plant varieties, are lightweight and portable, and use minimal material. The space provides fruits, vegetables, and herbs for culinary students, and is a gathering space for students and the public to enjoy nature.
The recycled plastic material used in the planters is environmentally and economically friendly. Its dark colour retains warmth in the planting medium, extending the growing season compared to lighter colours or timber construction. The material is hard-wearing, easy to maintain, resistant to poor weather conditions, and longer lasting than traditional wooden planters.
Click the buttons below to view a panorama of the Parklet concept and a final rendered design which you can walkthrough.
The Future
Looking to the future, the team hopes to re-use and potentially expand the Parklet design to suit different spaces around the city. With a modular concept at the heart of the design, it allows the green spaces to adapt and fit into practically any space. The introduction of green spaces for the public to enjoy will undoubtedly be a welcome addition to many parts of the city.
In conclusion, the creation of the Nottingham Parklet is a significant step towards promoting sustainable green spaces and will play an important role in reducing the carbon footprint of the city. This collaborative effort between local organisations and Leonard Design Architects showcases how sustainability and functionality can be achieved through the use of recycled materials and innovative design.
