Overview
This project set out to establish a community food growing space on a council estate in central London. Despite the estate management publicly promoting food growing initiatives for tenants, nearly two years of engagement produced no results. The bureaucratic obstruction was so complete that a group of residents eventually decided to act independently.
The solution came through a resident friend who knew an octogenarian neighbour — a passionate former gardener — who happily offered his private garden for the project. The majority of participants had no experience of growing food, so teaching became the primary goal alongside the physical garden design itself.
Methodology
I was less familiar with OBREDIM than with SADIM, so I chose it here deliberately — to experiment and better understand its strengths and weaknesses. There was no other reason for the choice, which is itself worth noting: testing a methodology on a real project is an effective way to learn it.
Working Through the Design
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1
Observation — Reading the Site
Observation was conducted using Patrick Whitefield's four-ways method, combining intuitive, objective, imaginative and subjective perspectives.
Intuitive — First Impressions
The site felt barren and unprotected. Surrounded by an 8-storey building to the west, a busy road to the north, and open to pedestrians, it had a strongly exposed, institutional quality. The smell of neighbours cooking and the sound of traffic were the dominant sensory impressions.
Objective — Systematic Observations
Soil: stony and poor quality. Climate: exposed to both southerly and northerly winds. No water catchment surfaces. Existing plants: grass only. Animals: occasional birds.
Imaginative — Projecting Forward
Without intervention: overgrown grass within 3 months, pioneer species such as dandelion by 6 months, then scrubland. The monoculture grass offered almost no insect habitat and very little biodiversity potential.
Subjective — Sense of Place
The imposing building, exposure on all sides, and public visibility made the space feel unwelcoming. The design would need to create a sense of shelter and enclosure to make it feel like a genuine gathering space.
PASE Analysis — Existing Conditions
Plants: Grass only. Animals: Occasional birds. Structures: Flat with west-facing window; wall to north with fence near house; short wall to east. Events: Bin collection — the only regular use of the garden. The owner had previously grown vegetables in the bed under the windowsill.
PASE Analysis — Client Wants
Plants: Herbs, annuals, small shrubs, fruits, salads. Animals: Bees, lacewings, ladybirds. Structures: Seats, food growing beds, compost, winter seedling space, water butts, storage. Events: Social gatherings, harvesting, tea parties.
Base Map
3D basemap created in Google Sketchup Sun & Shade Maps
Sun and shade maps were modelled for each equinox and solstice at four times of day. Shade falls on the paved area from just after midday, giving only morning sun for growing.
Annual sun and shade animation -
2
Boundaries & Resources
Physical boundaries: No border on the south side (neighbour wanted to build a large fence). Busy road to the north. 8-storey building to the west. Car park to the east. Only paved area usable for growing.
Other boundaries: Low food growing knowledge among participants. Exposed site requiring shelter solutions.
Resources: £200 from a charity supporting the garden owner. Seeds and cuttings from my own garden. The owner — a passionate former gardener, contributed knowledge. Transition Pimlico food group members: no growing skills but strong desire to learn.
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3
Evaluation — Sun, Half-Day Growing & Constraints
The half-day sun constraint shaped the planting plan. Species were chosen to thrive with morning-only sun.
💡 Design Constraint Becomes Design DriverRather than fighting the limitation, it was accepted as a design parameter. Observe and interact, then design with the pattern you find. -
4
Design — Garden Layout & Plant Plan
Overall garden design — v0.4 Square Foot Gardening
Small space and beginners’ focus meant square foot gardening was ideal — measurable and easily taught.
Storage, Seating & Composting
Multi-functional seating, storage, and raised bed units optimised space.
🌿 Design Principle — Each Element Performs Multiple FunctionsEfficient multi-functional design makes the most of every square metre. -
5
Implementation
Garden taking shape
Reflections & Outcomes
Despite nearly two years of bureaucratic obstruction, the project progressed through community relationships rather than institutional channels. A productive garden was established in a private space, built entirely on initiative and collaboration.
Teaching and community building were as valuable as the physical design — participants gained knowledge, confidence, and practical skills.