The Dickens Yard Project
Elevated Green Living: Europlanters at Dickens Yard, Ealing
What was once a council-owned car park in West London is now a flagship development redefining urban living. Dickens Yard, located in the heart of Ealing, has been transformed into a £1 billion mixed-use community of nearly 700 high-end apartments, integrated commercial space, and landscaped gardens — all designed with nature, lifestyle, and connectivity in mind.
At the centre of this transformation is a strong emphasis on outdoor living and biophilic design. From balconies to penthouse roof gardens, green space is not just a luxury — it’s a fundamental design principle. Europlanters has been an integral part of this vision since the project’s inception in 2016, helping to shape this vertical landscape with custom planters and outdoor furniture that blend function with refined aesthetics.
Planters That Elevate Design
The expansive development features landscaped terraces and private balconies across its residential buildings, many of which enjoy panoramic views over the city skyline. Working closely with the project team, Europlanters providedbespoke GRP planters for every balcony and penthouse rooftop garden — a feat of coordination and craftsmanship.
Finished in matt black to harmonise with the development’s metalwork and architectural lines, the planters serve bothaesthetic and practical purposes. From providing privacy screens and wind protection to housing large shrubs, trees, and ornamental planting, each piece was built to enhance the experience of outdoor living in an urban setting.
Innovation Beneath the Surface
More than just planters, the project included a number of functional innovations. ‘Hidden storage’ seating units were crafted using Sapele hardwood lids mounted on gas ram fittings, making them easy to lift while offering residents convenient, weather-resistant storage in outdoor spaces.
One particularly complex installation required Europlanters to design and fabricate a bespoke planter system around an automatic smoke ventilation unit. This modular solution was pre-fabricated in sections for efficient transport and then assembled and bolted on-site by Europlanters’ installation team, seamlessly integrating infrastructure and landscape design.
Planting a Future-Ready Vision
All planting was executed by the Kingston Landscape Group, who transformed the terraces and balconies into lush, layered gardens that blur the boundaries between indoors and out. With the arrival of Crossrail further enhancing Ealing’s connectivity, Dickens Yard is positioned not just as a residential address, but as a future-proof investment in sustainable urban living.
“We’ve enjoyed being part of Phase One of this ambitious project and are looking forward to seeing Phase Two come to life as well,” says John Wilkes, Director of Europlanters. “It’s rewarding to see our products being used in a way that enhances both the built environment and the well-being of the residents.”
A Case Study in Collaborative Design
Dickens Yard exemplifies the power of collaboration between architects, developers, landscapers, and specialist manufacturers. For landscape architects and urban designers, it presents a blueprint for integrating green infrastructure into dense city developments, not as an afterthought but as a central element of the design process.
Through thoughtful detailing, durable materials, and an eye for both form and function, Europlanters helped deliver not just planters, but place-making elements that support the evolving lifestyle of modern city dwellers.
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