17 May 10 Hammersmith Grove: Greening Case Study
A GREEN SANCTUARY IN CENTRAL HAMMERSMITH
10 Hammersmith Grove (10HG), a large office space in Hammersmith, aims to create a welcoming environment that inspires wellbeing for both people and planet. Walking up to 10HG, one is met with a green oasis of parklets. The parklets, also home to a bug hotel attracting wildlife, are planted with flowers, shrubs, and trees. They lead the way to 10HG’s ‘Green Reception’. At the heart of the building’s entrance, in addition to green walls and indoor trees, you will find three hydroponic farms growing fresh produce.
HYDROPONIC FARMS
Hydroponic farms produce crops within an artificial environment. The hydroponic planting method skips the soil and instead grows crops using LED lighting and a pump system. Nutrientrich water is pumped for five minutes every hour from a reservoir found at the bottom of the farm. This method of planting uses 90% less water than conventional farming techniques. The idea behind hydroponics is to use less resource to create a higher yield all year round.
Amarachi Nkwocha, Receptionist at 10HG, told us how passionate she is about spreading the word around sustainable farming methods. She highlighted how using global initiatives such as Earth Day or Mental Health Awareness Week helps ensure there is always something interactive happening in the office. These initiatives can be used as a vehicle to demonstrate the physical and mental health benefits of urban farming.
For Earth Day in April 2023, a talk and demonstration were given to tenants about hydroponic planting, before the produce from 10HG’s farm was harvested, bagged, and distributed to tenants for free.
‘The produce is far better than one would find in the Supermarket’ (10HG Tenant)
Harvests happen in-house every four weeks and some of the different harvests have included:
– Basil / Lemon Basil
– Chives
– Kale
– Lettuce
– Oregano
– Pak Choi
– Parsley
– Thyme
Amarachi noted that people are always enquiring about the hydroponic farms. After seeing the sustainable farming method, the staff at Accor Invest – tenants of the building – connected their hotels to the hydroponic farming suppliers. Consequently, these farms can now be found in hotels such as Ibis, Mecure and Novotel.
ADDITIONAL GREENING
The hydroponic farms sparked our conversation around sustainable practices, but 10HG’s greening initiatives don’t stop there. Other greening initiatives 10HG are rolling out include litter picking and planting on a global scale.
Litter Picking
In September 2023 the team at 10HG joined Hammersmith BID for a morning of litter picking. Enthusiastic volunteers demonstrated their commitment to creating a cleaner and greener Hammersmith by filling 10 bags of litter containing 200+ cans, 100+ bottles, three disposable vapes and over 2,000 cigarette butts. 10HG continues to show commitment to the local area and are looking forward to delivering future green volunteering days in partnership with Hammersmith BID.
Global planting
In addition to local solutions, 10HG support greening on a global scale. In October 2023, a local massage therapist was invited to give Reiki Massages and Indian Head Massages at 10HG. For each massage or booking made, a tree was planted in Kenya’s Mau Forest. A total of 90 trees were planted following the initiative, demonstrating just one of the many ways 10HG are committed to supporting people and planet.
AMARACHI’S TOP TIPS: ENCOURAGING SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS PRACTICE
Collaborate
If you work in a shared office building, collaboration is key to developing successful greening initiatives. Speaking to other companies about what they are already doing helps establish building-wide strategies for greener operations.
Global Initiatives
There are several annual global initiatives seeking to inspire positive change within communities. By supporting Earth Day or Mental Health Awareness Week activities, 10HG are always working to ensure there is something interactive happening in the building in support of its tenants and beyond.
Partnership
Amarachi also highlighted the important role partnership can have, noting how valuable 10HG’s positive working relationship with Hammersmith BID has been:
“Our relationship with Hammersmith BID helps keep us connected to everything happening in the local area. Many of the greening initiatives we run at 10 Hammersmith Grove wouldn’t have been possible without the BID.” (Amarachi Nkwocha, 10 Hammersmith Grove)
ADDITIONAL NOTES
Its varied sustainability initiatives demonstrate the commitment of 10HG to the overall greening of Hammersmith.
If you’d like to get in touch about planning greening activities for your own staff, or if your organisation also has greening initiatives you’d like to showcase, please email us.
