A zero-carbon community cabin and co-designed memorial garden transforming a corner of Feltham town centre into a safe, inclusive cultural destination celebrating the town's musical legacy.

Feltham Green Cabin and the Freddie Mercury Memorial Garden form the centrepiece of a community-led regeneration programme transforming both the physical environment and identity of Feltham town centre. Feltham has historically faced challenges linked to deprivation and its association with the Young Offender Institution, alongside persistent negative media coverage around crime. This project responds directly by placing culture, community and high-quality design at the forefront, putting cultural experience at the heart of placemaking to reshape perceptions, strengthen civic pride and redefine the town's narrative.

Completed in partnership with the Friends of Feltham Green, the project has transformed a previously underused and anti-social area into a safe, inclusive and vibrant destination for residents and visitors alike. Located on Feltham High Street, it builds on the Conservation Area setting of Feltham Green and Pond, a rare green space in the town centre, while celebrating Feltham's cultural heritage as the former home of Brian May and Freddie Mercury.

The Memorial Garden was co-designed with residents and Freddie Mercury's sister, Kashmira Bulsara. It integrates bespoke planting, including Freddie Mercury roses, alongside storytelling elements that create a meaningful space for reflection, celebration and inspiration, attracting visitors from well beyond the local area.

At the project's heart, the 25m² Eco-Cabin is a zero-carbon, multifunctional community hub designed by Burgess Architects. Its distinctive pyramidal roof form establishes a benchmark for high-quality, small-scale civic design, acting as a visible landmark that draws people into the space and encourages participation.

The Cabin provides flexible space for exhibitions, workshops, performances and community events, enabling cultural expression, learning and engagement while inspiring young people through Feltham's extraordinary musical legacy.

Together with wider public realm improvements and a coordinated programme of community-led art, including mosaics, murals and landscaping, the project demonstrates how cultural and community-driven design can reshape perceptions, enhance well-being, support social integration and deliver lasting impact.