BLOSSOM TOGETHER + | studio 8FOLD

areas for rest, and was enjoyed by old and young alike. Public feedback included multiple calls to make the installation permanent, which will hopefully influence further
development of the area to allow for such change.

With support from funding raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, trees from the installation, along with a further 500, will be planted around the city this winter to increase the number of blossoming trees in urban places and create a symbolic ‘ring of blossom’ around Birmingham.

Lucy Reid, who leads the National Trust’s Birmingham Strategy, said:

“We’re so pleased to be part of the Birmingham 2022 Festival and to bring our celebration of nature and blossom to people visiting the city. Spending time in green spaces is good for our wellbeing and the environment, so it’s important to look after and create more green spaces in our towns and cities as well as in the countryside. During the spring we had a great response to our pop-up blossom gardens at Birmingham Cathedral and next to the indoor markets on Edgbaston Street, and now we’ve brought all of those trees together at the Smithfield Festival Site to create our third pop-up garden. We’re looking forward to seeing people take a few moments to notice nature and enjoy sitting among the trees – or if they’re feeling a bit more energetic, picking up a racquet and playing a game of badminton.”

Photos by Luke O'Donovan

As part of the Birmingham Festival 2022 and Commonwealth Games, 70 young trees were temporarily installed at the Smithfield Festival site within special planters that provided visitors with opportunities to relax and play while surrounded by nature in the city environment. The installations were designed through a collaboration between architects Tate+Co and Studio 8FOLD on behalf of the National Trust, as part of their celebration of blossom in Birmingham.

The project makes use of 44 planters and retrofits them to include playful elements, such as hammocks and badminton nets. It was set-up so that all the constituent parts from the installation could find a life after six months of placements were complete. Homes have been found for all planters, ranging from schools who will use the planters as high beds for productive landscapes (vegetable growing), councils to use as seating in areas that lack the infrastructure for pause and along streets and parks where they can be enjoyed. The Badminton nets and equipment are being donated to schools and the Hammocks are to be used on existing local National Trust sites.

The apple, cherry and plum trees occupied a hard landscaped, harsh environment with no seating and areas for rest, and was enjoyed by old and young alike. Public feedback includedThe apple, cherry and plum trees occupied a hard landscaped, harsh environment with no seating and