We’re growing underground: Disused ticket offices at London tube stations are transformed into miniature tropical paradises to lighten the mood of the capital’s commuters – and they improve air quality too
- Design firm the Edible Bus Stop partnered up with Transport for London to develop unusual green spots
- Were first installed at St James’s Park and are now also in place at Kilburn Park, Belsize Park and Wood Green
- ‘Tiny Parks’ only need watering once a month and can combat air pollution and boost commuters’ moods
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What with the queues in rush hour, cancelled trains and the searing heat at the height of summer, taking the tube to and from work can end up being quite taxing.
But Londoners could get some light relief from their commute by taking in the sight of miniature parks which have been installed inside disused ticket offices.
Design firm the Edible Bus Stop partnered up with Transport for London to develop the unusual green spots, the first of which opened at St James’s Park in 2017.
The so-called Tiny Parks have also now been installed at the appropriately named Kilburn Park, Belsize Park and Wood Green.
The plants only need watering once each month and have been chosen for their ability to combat air pollution and to boost commuters’ moods.
The latest stunning pictures show commuters walking past the groovy installations, which have added a touch of colour to the stations’ tiled walls.
The Edible Bus Stop said on their website: ‘Most urban dwellers spend 80% of their time indoors, therefore, the introduction of interior green space can have a significant impact on those that live, work and play in that space.
‘We also understand the importance of biophilia and so the solution was simple, create mirrored grow units that offer views into tiny tropical parks.’
Londoners could get some light relief from their commute by taking in the sight of miniature parks which have been installed inside disused ticket offices. Pictured: One of the green spaces at Kilburn Park underground station
Design firm the Edible Bus Stop partnered up with Transport for London to develop the unusual green spots, the first of which opened at St James’s Park in 2017. Pictured: One of the ‘Tiny Parks’ at Wood Green station
The so-called Tiny Parks have also now been installed at the appropriately named Kilburn Park, Belsize Park and Wood Green. Pictured: One of the plant windows at Belsize Park
The plants only need watering once each month and have been chosen for their ability to combat air pollution and to boost commuters’ moods. Pictured: Commuters walk past one of the installations at St James’s Park, the first station in which the parks were trialled in 2017
The latest stunning pictures show commuters walking past the groovy installations, which have added a touch of colour to the stations’ tiled walls. Pictured: One flurry of plants in the ticket office window at Belsize Park
Even greener! Wood Green station is also playing host to a tiny park. The Edible Bus Stop said on their website: ‘Most urban dwellers spend 80% of their time indoors, therefore, the introduction of interior green space can have a significant impact on those that live, work and play in that space’
‘We also understand the importance of biophilia and so the solution was simple, create mirrored grow units that offer views into tiny tropical parks,’ the firm added. Pictured: A commuter appears to be unaware of the green sight to her right
It is hoped that the tiny parks will improve commuters’ mood and help to take away some of the stress caused by work and travelling to and from the office. Pictured: The disused ticket office at Belsize Park, which is now transformed
The spaces have been put to good use by being turned into miniature parks after they were closed by Transport for London
The Tiny Parks contain a variety of plants which only need to be watered once a month and so are relatively low maintenance
Park life! The green spaces are an improvement compared to the previous site of an empty window at the stations
Touch of colour: After an initial trial at St James’s Park in 2017, the parks were rolled out at three other tube stations
An improvement: The green spaces certainly attract the attention of commuters who are wearied by the similar sights to and from work
New look: The stations have had a makeover as part of a drive to limit commuters’ stress and reduce air pollution in the capital
Walk on by: The plan is to extend the project at other stations, many of which have seen ticket office closures in recent years
‘The Edible Bus Stop’ have been working with Transport For London to turn disused manned ticket offices into green spaces
So far they have been put in place at St. James’ Park, Kilburn Park, Belsize Park and Wood Green underground stations. Pictured: The parks at Wood Green