The Great Outdoors: A distinctive roof garden that integrates a new build home with the river Views
- Entertaining
- Roof Garden
- Date
- Location
- Fulham
- Size
- 75m2
- Duration
- 8 weeks
Designing a Distinctive Roof Garden that Integrates a New Build home with the River View
Our clients acquired a stunning new build property overlooking the River Thames and Barnes Wetlands, boasting panoramic views of London and breath-taking sunsets. The terrace featured three sections of stark paving and glass, surrounding a central staircase. The brief was to utilise high-quality, durable materials and interesting plants to create designated areas for enjoying the views throughout the day, relaxing in the sun, and hosting dinner parties with family and friends. Additionally, our clients needed to incorporate storage solutions and discreetly conceal pipework and air conditioning units.
Design
The terrace was strategically divided into distinct zones, with the dining section positioned away from the river to create a cosy, sheltered space for enjoying long evenings after sunset. This area was designed to be surrounded by fragrant flowers and architectural trees, providing a serene and secluded atmosphere.
To address practical needs, storage units were designed to conceal existing services, covered with drought-resistant and wind-tolerant alpine planting that seamlessly integrated with additional bar tops for alternative views and accommodating extra guests. A long bar and corner bench surrounding a fire pit were prominently situated to maximise enjoyment of the river views and sunsets, while a colourful planting corner was elevated to provide the perfect spot for enjoying coffee and reading while watching boats and rowers on sunny days.
Preparation and Build
To enhance the overall aesthetic, dramatic Corten steel-effect planters were incorporated, instantly adding warmth and character to the rooftop garden. The carefully curated spaces maintain a cohesive look and feel while providing varied atmospheres and functions, enhancing the usability and enjoyment of this stunning outdoor area as envisioned by our clients.
Planting
The design team conducted an in-depth analysis to identify suitable planting that would enhance privacy and provide windbreaks using robust, exposure-tolerant shrubs and trees while preserving the spectacular vistas from the rooftop. The planting scheme features robust and warm colours, with reliable blues and purples accented by vibrant pops of colour from plants such as Salvia ‘Peach Parfait,’ Santolina, Kniphofia, and a selection of alpines. Multi-stemmed trees, including Crataegus and Arbutus, were strategically placed to provide structural definition to the planting, further enriching the landscape and contributing to the views.
