Project

The City of Edinburgh Council commissioned IOTA to manufacture bespoke corten steel planters as part of streetscape improvements to Leith Walk - one of the longest streets in Edinburgh, and the main connecting route from Edinburgh city centre to Leith.

14 cylindrical planters of 1200 (dia) x 1000mm (h) were manufactured from 2.0mm-thick corten steel. The design incorporates channel apertures for movement via pallet truck or forklift. Three steel eye bolts are located in the base to serve as attachment points for a tree anchoring system.

Benefits of corten steel

Corten steel planters are ideal for public realm schemes as they are extremely durable and long-lasting, and require no maintenance.

Corten steel (also known as ‘weathering steel’) contains alloys that cause its surface to develop a self-protecting rust when exposed to weather, that will repair itself immediately if damaged mechanically.

Outcome

The planters have been installed on Leith Walk and planted up with a variety of trees, including hornbeam, rowan and fastigiate oak.

The local environmental organisation, Greener Leith, has encouraged local businesses to "adopt" one of the trees and as a result, the trees are being well cared for and additional flowers and small plants have been added to the planters. They now make a cheering display on this busy thoroughfare.