The Finsbury Dials Project
The Finsbury Dials Transformation: Elevating Urban Roof Terraces with Sustainable GRP Planters
In today’s commercial landscape, roof terraces have evolved far beyond simple outdoor spaces. They are now integral to occupier wellbeing, biodiversity strategies, and ESG-led development. For landscape architects, the challenge lies in specifying products that not only deliver exceptional aesthetics, but also meet the increasing demands for sustainability, durability, and practical installation.
At the forefront of this movement are GRP planters from Europlanters — lightweight, durable, low-maintenance solutions that are perfectly suited to rooftop environments.
A recent example of this approach can be seen at the redevelopment of Finsbury Dials, an impressive commercial refurbishment located in the heart of London’s financial district at the intersection of Chiswell Street and Finsbury Street.
Originally constructed in the 1980s, the building has been comprehensively redeveloped by Erith to deliver over 140,000 sq ft of premium office space, centred around wellness, sustainability, and contemporary workplace design. The scheme includes a rooftop terrace exceeding 3,700 sq ft, collaborative breakout areas, and state-of-the-art end-of-trip facilities, all designed to enhance the occupier experience. Sustainability has remained at the forefront throughout, with the development targeting EPC A and BREEAM Outstanding ratings.
Working closely with landscape architects Camlins and lead architects Stiff + Trevillion, the external terraces, roof pavilions, and landscaped spaces were carefully designed to create functional and restorative outdoor environments that support wellbeing and biodiversity in a dense urban setting.
The rooftop level now features a newly constructed pavilion alongside an expansive landscaped terrace that provides occupiers with flexible outdoor workspace amenities and areas for relaxation and social interaction.
Europlanters were proud to be specified by Pritchard and Pritchard to manufacture both the bespoke planters and seating elements for this prestigious project. In total, Europlanters produced 255 square metres of GRP planters, finished in a matt RAL 7021 coating, together with 54 linear metres of bespoke benches crafted in FSC-certified Iroko hardwood.
The project was delivered on schedule, with installation expertly coordinated and planted up by Pritchard and Pritchard, resulting in a rooftop environment that successfully balances architectural precision with natural softness.
Why GRP Planters Are Ideal for Roof Terraces
For landscape architects specifying products for rooftop applications, weight is often one of the most critical considerations. GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic) planters provide significant structural advantages compared with traditional materials such as concrete or metal.
Their lightweight construction simplifies transportation, handling, and installation, while reducing loading requirements on rooftop structures. Despite their reduced weight, GRP planters offer exceptional durability and resistance to weathering, making them particularly suited to exposed roof terrace environments.
Equally important is their low-maintenance performance. GRP planters resist corrosion, cracking, and fading, ensuring a long service life with minimal ongoing upkeep — a major advantage for commercial developments focused on operational efficiency.
Sustainability Through Material Innovation
Sustainability played a central role throughout the Finsbury Dials redevelopment, with the wider project focused on reusing and repurposing existing materials to minimise environmental impact.
Supporting this vision, Europlanters manufactured the GRP planters using bio resin technology, helping to reduce reliance on traditional petrochemical-based materials while maintaining the strength and longevity required for commercial applications.
In addition, all timber used for the bespoke bench seating was FSC-certified, reinforcing the project team’s commitment to responsible sourcing and sustainable development practices.
For landscape architects seeking to deliver environmentally conscious rooftop schemes without compromising on design quality or performance, GRP planters manufactured using bio resin technology offer a highly effective specification solution.
Designing for Wellness, Biodiversity and Longevity
Projects such as Finsbury Dials demonstrate how thoughtful landscape design can transform underutilised rooftop space into valuable environments that support both people and nature.
As developers continue to prioritise wellness-led workplaces and sustainable urban regeneration, the specification of lightweight, durable, and environmentally responsible products will become increasingly important.
By combining technical performance with bespoke design flexibility, Europlanters’ GRP planter systems continue to provide landscape architects with reliable solutions for ambitious rooftop landscapes across the UK.Top of FormBottom of Form
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