Merstham Park: The First DfE School with a Biophilic Landscape Design
Location: Merstham Park School, Surrey
Product used: Wildflower Turf™ Landscape34
Project Size: 80m²
Project Overview
Merstham Park School, located south of London, embarked on a pioneering project to create a unique learning environment that fosters a deep connection with nature. As part of the “Low Carbon Pathfinder” initiative, the school was built to replace the previous dilapidated building that stood before it and was designed to prioritise sustainability and well-being.
The primary goal of the project was to develop a landscape that promotes psychological, physiological, and spiritual replenishment while addressing the pressing challenges of climate change, flooding, and biodiversity loss. The school’s design was guided by the Department for Education’s aspiration to make the grounds an integral part of the school experience. The landscape design was carefully crafted to reflect biophilic principles, incorporating natural systems, symbols and textures. By embracing biophilic design, the school aimed to demonstrate the positive impact that nature-based environments can have on the well-being of students and teachers.
The Solution
Wildflower Turf™ played a crucial role in creating the biophilic landscape at Merstham Park school. The landscape architects, Natural Dimensions, used 80m² of our Landscape 34 turf throughout the grounds to enhance aesthetic appeal, promote biodiversity and create a stimulating learning environment.
Wildflower Turf™ was used to edge various habitats around the school, including woodland areas, social spaces, and front lawn areas. It offered a significant advantage in creating these spaces by establishing quickly and integrating into the existing landscape. This helped to diversify these spaces and create new opportunities for wildlife and pollinators. The use of wildflower turf™ attracted pollinators, promoted biodiversity, and created a visually stunning outdoor classroom for students to learn about nature. By combining Wildflower Turf™ with wild-seeded areas, the school’s extensive lawn areas were diversified, providing opportunities for smaller wildlife and pollinators to thrive.
Beyond its ecological benefits, wildflower turf™ offered several practical advantages for Merstham Park School. Wildflower turf™ requires minimal maintenance compared to traditional lawns, reducing the school’s workload and environmental impact. Our landscape 34 turf is drought tolerant and can withstand harsh weather conditions make it a sustainable choice. A wildflower meadow provides a rich educational resource for students, allowing them to learn about ecology, biodiversity and environmental stewardship.
The Results
The collaboration between Merstham Park School and Natural dimensions has resulted in a transformative project. The schools biophilic landscape design featuring Wildflower Turf™ has created a more engaging, educational and sustainable campus. As a result of this project, recent feedback from the school has suggested that the overall mood of the school is elevated, with pupils showing improved focus and staff highly motivated. Wildflower Turf™ is an ideal choice for schools, parks, and other public spaces seeking to enhance biodiversity, improve well-being, and create a more sustainable future.
Photo Credits: Marianne Majerus Limited