In the heart of Melbourne’s CBD at 99 King Street, a narrow, underutilised courtyard between two office boardrooms has been transformed into a lush green sanctuary. The brief was clear: turn an ugly, unused outdoor space into a striking plant-based visual display — one that could be enjoyed from both sides of the glass. The solution, recommended by Len Goldsmith of Fantastic Plants, centred on Sigma Planters’ Manhattan Charcoal Tall Trough 800 combined with two Manhattan Charcoal Cube planters.

The Challenge: A Neglected Urban Courtyard

The courtyard at 99 King Street presented a unique set of challenges. Tucked between brick walls and a full-height glazed boardroom facade, the space was dark, utilitarian, and completely bare. Two boardrooms looked directly into this area, meaning the blank walls and hard surfaces were a constant, uninspiring backdrop for meetings and client interactions.

To make things more complex, there was no onsite water supply. Any planting solution would need to be largely self-sufficient. A height of at least two metres was needed to eventually screen the exposed brick walls and surrounding structures — a significant ask for a contained planter installation in a tight urban space.

The Solution: Manhattan Charcoal Tall Trough 800s

Len Goldsmith of Fantastic Plants specified the Manhattan Charcoal Tall Trough 800 (L800 × W350 × H800mm, 15kg each) as the primary planter. Eleven units were arranged along perimeter walls of the courtyard, creating an immersive green border that lines virtually the entire space. At either end, the arrangement is neatly terminated with a Manhattan Charcoal Cube 600 (600 × 600mm) and a Manhattan Charcoal Cube 500 (500 × 500mm) — stepping down in scale and acting as elegant full stops to the planter run.

The matte charcoal finish of the Manhattan range was a deliberate choice. Against the warm brick walls and the cool reflective glass of the boardroom, the dark planters provide a bold, architectural contrast that gives the space a polished, contemporary feel — even before the plants have fully established.

And to achieve the two-metre screen height needed to conceal the background walls, the planters are planted with climbing star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides), which will ultimately climb upward toward the trellis. Over time, as the jasmine establishes and climbs the trellis, it will form a lush living wall that completely transforms the character of the space and provides meaningful privacy screening for both boardrooms.

A Clever Wicking System: No Tap Required

With no permanent water supply available in the courtyard, Len’s team devised an innovative felt wicking system to keep the plants hydrated. Slits were cut into the base of each Manhattan Tall Trough, allowing felt strips to be extended out from the base of each planter into tubs of water placed directly behind them.

This wicking action draws moisture up into the soil from the tub acting as a reservoir below, delivering water directly to the root zone – slowly, consistently, and just enough to keep the plants satiated. Water is sourced from the office and used to refill the tubs as needed, making maintenance straightforward and requiring no plumbing or irrigation infrastructure at all. It’s a practical, low-tech solution perfectly suited to an urban setting with limited access.

Why the Manhattan Charcoal Range?

The Manhattan Charcoal Tall Trough 800 was an ideal fit for this project for several reasons:

Height: At 800mm, the planters provide a substantial base that, combined with a metre-plus of plant growth above, delivers the visual screen the client needed without requiring elevated platforms or structural modification.

Weight: At just 15kg each, the fibreglass construction makes them far safer and easier to handle and position in a confined space than concrete or stone alternatives.

Root space: The 350mm width provides ample root volume for vigorous climbers like star jasmine, supporting healthy long-term growth.

Durability: The UV-stable, weather-resistant fibreglass and satin polyurethane finish ensures the planters hold their colour and form year-round, even in Melbourne’s variable climate.

The Outcome: From Eyesore to Oasis

What was once a neglected, uninspiring gap between two office boardrooms is now a genuine green asset for the business. The combination of the dark charcoal planters, and the growing jasmine creates a cohesive, inviting palette that significantly improves the ambience of the adjoining workspaces.The installation demonstrates how thoughtfully chosen planters — combined with the right plant selection and a practical irrigation solution — can completely reinvent a space, even in the most constrained urban environments.

As the star jasmine matures and fills the trellis, the boardrooms at 99 King Street will enjoy an ever-improving green outlook — one that improves staff well-being, impresses clients, and makes use of space that was previously contributing nothing.

Does your commercial space have an unused or underperforming outdoor area? At Sigma Planters, we work with landscape designers, property managers, and commercial clients across Australia to find the right planting solution — no matter the constraints. Contact us today to discuss your project.