Situated in the heart of London sits the iconic 39-acre, Grade II* listed Battersea Power Station, which has been subject to an incredible £9billion redevelopment project – one of the biggest schemes of this type anywhere in Europe. One brand that is proud to have played a part within this ground-breaking project is Boughton, suppliers of stunning green roof substrates for the Power Station’s ‘Garden of the Elements’ project.
Positioned between the four chimney’s that have become synonymous with the Battersea development are three unique gardens that together make up the ‘Garden of Elements’, designed by Andy Sturgeon and brought to life by six-times BALI Grand award-winners, Willerby Landscapes. Each garden is inspired by fire, water or air, harking back to the Power Station’s previous life. It is within these gardens, including the notable main podium garden ‘Boiler House Square’ that saw Boughton’s IN1 Intensive and Lightweight Green Roof Substrates, and Rootzone come into their own.
These garden spaces, full of cloud-like planting schemes are set within raised beds and tall grasses with vegetation designed to offer year-round interest with a mix of evergreens, Mediterranean and more exotic species. Boughton’s IN1 substrate was selected to support this scheme thanks to its ability to support larger plants and to be installed at depths from 100 – 500cm, thanks to its sandy texture. Additionally, Boughton’s IN1 substrate offers significant moisture retention qualities, making it the perfect choice when so many plants are vying for attention within this three-hectare site. IN1 from Boughton continues to meet and exceed all G.R.O guidelines.
Elsewhere Boughton’s Lightweight Substrate was used to provide growing media where weight loading for the green roof needed to be lighter than traditional green roof schemes. Finally, Rootzone completed the offering. Supplied as a ready-mixed solution, Rootzone provided better planting conditions throughout the scheme.
Product was supplied in both bulk bags and 25L bags, meaning the Boughton team had to go above and beyond to tackle the logistically challenges that delivering to a central location presented. Representative of one of the biggest projects Boughton has ever been involved in, it was vital that the team got it right. Boughton Managing Director, Simon Hedley, said: “Being able to contribute to the development of the Battersea Power Station and play a small part in the history of this London landmark has been an honour and one that we are proud to share with our customers and the wider community. We have no doubt that our green roof substrate will help the planting at ‘Boiler House Square’ to thrive both now and long into the future, making this incredible garden space a truly iconic part of London’s green roof story.”
Talking during the construction of the horticulturally rich roof garden, Willerby Landscapes said: “Boughton were a pleasure to work with, being able to safely deliver the material to site despite the many logistical challenges that this prestigious, central London project posed. They supplied us with top quality substrates specifically approved by Tim O’Hare, as well as a service that’s hard to beat”.
Boughton’s Green Roof Substrates are specifically designed to suit any domestic or commercial project. To enquire about your next project, contact by calling (01536) 510515 or email sales@boughton.co.uk.
Boughton IN1 Green Roof Substrate – key information
- Bulk density oven dried (g cm-3) 1.07
- Bulk density at 10% VMC (g cm-3) 1.33
- Bulk density at field capacity (g cm-3) 1.46
- Field Capacity (% v/v) 53.9
- Particle Density (g cm-3) 2.18
- Total Porosity (%) 48.9
- Porosity at Field Capacity (%) 57.5
- Effective Porosity (%) 0.0
- Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity
- (mm min-1) 18
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Notes to Editors
Boughton Ltd – An acknowledged specialist and market-leading supplier of topsoil, growing media, specialist loam blends and landscaping products, with over 30 years of successful delivery to the industry, U.K. wide.