Designing Private Roof Terraces in Central London
I would concentrate here on one specific project, an early one for that matter from 2003, as its location, client, size and stature describe best what it is like working on designing and building a roof terrace in central London.
Back in the spring of 2003 Simon Howard called me up to deal with his huge 250 square metre roof terrace on the 7th floor of Bridge House, at St George Wharf, on Vauxhall Bridge.
It was and still is one of the most amazing things I have ever been asked to do.
The logistics, the constraints, the vision, the cost - were all Simon's, I just did a doodle on a piece of paper.
He introduced me to the furniture lift company that could take all the gear upstairs.
And luckily, I had Phil who could bring his team and sit on this project for 3 sheer months July-October 2003.
Simon sold the place in 2007 and since then I was lucky to revisit this year in April when the current owner spotted me online and asked me to carry out some refurbishment work.
The terrace, needles to say, takes the battering south western wind coming in from Battersea every single day, the sun is pounding, then the shade gets dense from the tall buildings which surround it; and it is completely overlooked by everyone who lives in the tower next door.
But...
The views are probably second to none, the sunsets are amazing and the feel is totally cinematic - a Bond film every day of the year - and not just because the MI6 building is just to the right...
In my design I followed the natural boat shape of the building and made sure the deck is just the right proportion to the building and the rest of the terrace.
I used varying width planks of iroko hardwood and contrasted it with the incredible concrete slabs of Blanc de Bierges.
The steps lead up to an artificial putting green with built-in raised beds and seating.
I used low planting throughout of Yucca, grasses, Euphorbia, Rosemary, Convolvulus, Succulents and Phormium.
Box hedging creates a wind shield by the main seating area and along the façade of the living room.
The main focal point planting is off-set to the middle sides where 3 huge Agave Americana are planted in each curved raised bed.
I selected those in Italy in July whilst visiting a nursery in Tuscany.
Unfortunately 10 years of rainy English weather had taken its toll on the foliage which in my opinion had reached its presentable stage.
I am now thinking of replacing them with Pines or Olive trees.
In November 2003 I had the opportunity to spend an afternoon with Tim Soar, the great architectural photographer - a friend of a client of mine - so we did a swap where I designed a garden in return for his half a day services.
We got access from the estate agent to all the other taller flats next door and shot some fantastic, timeless photographs.
http://www.
mylandscapes.
co.
uk/10-top-private-roof-terraces-in-central-London.
htm
Back in the spring of 2003 Simon Howard called me up to deal with his huge 250 square metre roof terrace on the 7th floor of Bridge House, at St George Wharf, on Vauxhall Bridge.
It was and still is one of the most amazing things I have ever been asked to do.
The logistics, the constraints, the vision, the cost - were all Simon's, I just did a doodle on a piece of paper.
He introduced me to the furniture lift company that could take all the gear upstairs.
And luckily, I had Phil who could bring his team and sit on this project for 3 sheer months July-October 2003.
Simon sold the place in 2007 and since then I was lucky to revisit this year in April when the current owner spotted me online and asked me to carry out some refurbishment work.
The terrace, needles to say, takes the battering south western wind coming in from Battersea every single day, the sun is pounding, then the shade gets dense from the tall buildings which surround it; and it is completely overlooked by everyone who lives in the tower next door.
But...
The views are probably second to none, the sunsets are amazing and the feel is totally cinematic - a Bond film every day of the year - and not just because the MI6 building is just to the right...
In my design I followed the natural boat shape of the building and made sure the deck is just the right proportion to the building and the rest of the terrace.
I used varying width planks of iroko hardwood and contrasted it with the incredible concrete slabs of Blanc de Bierges.
The steps lead up to an artificial putting green with built-in raised beds and seating.
I used low planting throughout of Yucca, grasses, Euphorbia, Rosemary, Convolvulus, Succulents and Phormium.
Box hedging creates a wind shield by the main seating area and along the façade of the living room.
The main focal point planting is off-set to the middle sides where 3 huge Agave Americana are planted in each curved raised bed.
I selected those in Italy in July whilst visiting a nursery in Tuscany.
Unfortunately 10 years of rainy English weather had taken its toll on the foliage which in my opinion had reached its presentable stage.
I am now thinking of replacing them with Pines or Olive trees.
In November 2003 I had the opportunity to spend an afternoon with Tim Soar, the great architectural photographer - a friend of a client of mine - so we did a swap where I designed a garden in return for his half a day services.
We got access from the estate agent to all the other taller flats next door and shot some fantastic, timeless photographs.
http://www.
mylandscapes.
co.
uk/10-top-private-roof-terraces-in-central-London.
htm
Source...