This garden united two prominent issues – global deforestation and social injustice. At its centre, a deforested mangrove sculpture served as a stark reminder of the impact humanity has on the planet’s most vital ecosystems, both locally and globally. The sculpture was inspired by the real-life story of the Mangrove Nine, a group of community activists tried and acquitted in 1970 for inciting a riot.

Honouring each of the Mangrove Nine members, nine corten steel roots formed a protective sanctuary, offering a space where communities could reconnect with each other and nature. Designed with relocation in mind, the garden featured pollinator-friendly, edible, ornamental, and architectural plants suited to inner-city landscapes. A path made from upcycled crushed concrete ran through the centre, symbolising the challenges and threats of racism, poverty, and violence in 1960s/70s London.