Partners: Hounslow Council & Luke Greysmith Landscape Associates
Location: Hounslow High Street Project
Scope: 3 XL Custom 3m Niche Bee Posts & Bespoke Metal Mounting Sockets
The Brief
Urban environments often present the greatest challenges—and the greatest opportunities—for nature-based solutions. We were brought in to collaborate on a major urban greening project situated right at a busy road and pedestrian interface on Hounslow High Street. The vision, designed by Luke Greysmith Landscape Associates, called for deep, newly created raised flower beds featuring integrated public benches and rich pollinator planting.
Our task was to provide functional habitat that would not only support local invertebrates but also act as striking architectural focal points within the raised beds.
The Niche Solution: XL Custom Engineering
This project required a departure from our standard product range to meet the specific structural and aesthetic demands of the site. We designed, manufactured, and helped install three extra-large, fully custom Niche beeposts.
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Bespoke Manufacturing: Machining timber at this scale is a significant engineering challenge. These custom posts measured a massive 3 meters in length. To ensure they were visually striking from every angle in this busy pedestrian zone, we executed intricate CNC artwork on both sides of the timber.
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Specialised Installation: Because the posts were being situated in deep raised planters, standard installation wasn't an option. We had three custom metal sockets fabricated and sent directly to the site. These were securely anchored onto hidden concrete pads at the base of the planters. Once installed, the 3m bee posts stood proudly at approximately 2.4 meters above the finished soil level.
A Structural and Ecological Anchor
While a standard bug hotel or insect hotel often degrades or looks untidy over time, our XL bee posts were designed to be permanent, premium landscape features.
Ecologically, they replicate massive pieces of standing deadwood, offering unparalleled nesting cavities for solitary bees and wasps right in the heart of the city. Aesthetically, they bring immediate height and structural texture to the landscape design. Perhaps most importantly, when the surrounding pollinator planting dies back in the colder months, the towering posts remain, providing crucial architectural winter interest for the streetscape.
Collaborative Success
This project is a perfect example of what can be achieved when landscape architects, local authorities, and ecological specialists work together. By combining the visionary design of Luke Greysmith Landscape Associates, the commitment of Hounslow Council to biodiversity net gain, and our highly technical habitats, we have successfully carved out a permanent space for nature on a bustling high street.
