About

Building Green was a website and resource managed by volunteers, and a platform for engagement and promotion of nature in the city.

Visit the contact page to get hold of someone about the work of Building Green, or about the famous green wall at Madeira Drive.

About archive

Why nature in the city?

Nature is good for you! Green features including green roofs and living walls are already popular in Brighton & Hove, and bring benefits in places without parks and open spaces. Not only for wildlife – but for human health, wellbeing and happiness; cooler, more liveable cities; reducing surface water flooding and many others.

You can get involved. We need volunteers who want to help with big, small, short term, long term action. Drop us a line at info@building-green.org.uk.

How did Building Green begin?

Brighton & Hove Building Green was founded in 2006 by James Farrell, an environmentalist and Kemp Town resident. James had recently left his role at the Great London Authority where, among other things, he advised the Mayor on green roofs.

Brighton & Hove Building Green was established as a voluntary unincorporated association (community network), with the aim to bring nature into the city. Since 2020, Brighton & Hove Building Green operates as a website and platform, and is no longer a voluntary association.

Our members included green roof experts, Council officers, architects, nature conservationists, artists, planners, academics, gardeners, landscapers and ordinary members of the public interested in doing their bit for a greener, more pleasant city.

Major players in Building Green over the years have included Ben Kimpton, Bryn Thomas, Stella Peyrel, Stephan Gehrels, Hannah Waldbaum, Adam Ingleby, Matthew Thomas, Lee Evans, Joss Carter, Paul Early, Kristoffer Hewitt, Dusty Gedge, John Little, Dave Marshall, Sarah Jane Jones, Don McLeod & Portslade Green Gym.

About James Farrell

As policy advisor to the Mayor of London, James developed the first planning requirements for green roofs and walls in the UK, and was involved in supporting the green roof revolution in London. Originally a conservationist, James is also a coach and has over 30 years experience in the environment sector.

He is the Director of The Natural Coaching Company, Founding Partner in The Human Nature Partnership, and works at a Government agency.

James represents the environment sector in Brighton on the Madeira Terrace Advisory Panel, which has been assisting the Council with plans to regenerate the east Brighton seafront. James also manages the Building Green website.

What has Building Green achieved?

We are proud of the things we have achieved since 2006.

Worked with partners Living Roofs, Grass Roof Company and Brighton Permaculture Trust to establish the UK’s first training in DIY green roofing in 2007. These workshops are now delivered by The Human Nature Partnership.
Successfully campaigning for the protection of Madeira Drive Green Wall to become a Local Wildlife Site. This is Europe’s longest, oldest ‘green wall’ Madeira Drive, and is the only Local Wildlife Site of its kind in the UK.
Establishing the volunteer management of the Madeira Drive green wall and working to restore it to its former glory.
Integration of Madeira Drive Green Wall with major proposals for the restoration of Madeira Terraces
Adoption of the Brighton ‘high line’ elevated park concept that was the vision of Building Green in the Madeira Terrace designs.
Publishing a set of Case studies to promote Brighton & Hove’s green roofs
Publishing a free Green Roof ‘DIY Guide’. There were 151 downloads between January 2019 and August 2022!
Making available the book ‘Building Green’ by Johnson & Newton, republished online by the Greater London Authority and no longer available elsewhere. There were 10,553 downloads between January 2019 and August 2022!
A range of talks and events to promote the city’s green infrastructure, including the First International Green Wall Conference, Brighton & Hove Eco Open Houses, Hanover Forum, Big Nature, Green Architecture Day, and Hove Civic Society.
Publishing a local history of Madeira Drive – the miracle mile.
Creating The Great Green Wall of Brighton, a film with LatestTV on the role of nature in modern Brighton’s development, featuring Madeira Drive.