A rooftop terrace suntrap in Denmark Hill, South London
Project value: £5,700
Garden aspect: South
Build completed: Summer 2023
This rooftop garden, located just a 5-minute walk from Denmark Hill, was designed to take advantage of the 360 views around the terrace - with the newly constructed, award-winning Salvation Army headquarters on one side, and Ruskin Park on the other. Previously, the garden was an open, exposed terrace with little to no planting. Now, the terrace feels like a garden, with planters lining the balustrade to create a sense of privacy and drawing in the trees from the surrounding park and landscape.
A mixture of drought-tolerant, Mediterranean plants have been used, including evergreens such as Pittosporum tobira ‘Nanum’, Pinus mugo and Rosemary. Grasses and airy perennials create movement and support local pollinators. The CorTen steel planters echo the contemporary architecture of the penthouse apartment, contrasting beautifully with the black zinc cladding.
Now, the planting invites you to step outside and spend some time relaxing, with the scent of Mediterranean herbs and the sound of wind rustling the grasses. The client has invited us to develop this rooftop paradise further with additional planting, and we are looking forward to evolving the garden further as it matures.
Our client, Abbie, says: ‘I can’t thank Shaun enough for transforming my rooftop terrace from a bland empty space to a colourful garden that feels lived in, from the colours of the leaves, lavenders and striking planters, their swaying in the wind and the visits from butterflies and bumblebees that have come to enjoy his work too!I didn’t know much about planting, design or what could work, but Shaun’s expertise and attention to detail made me feel as if I was in good hands. He quickly identified that my terrace was both frequently windy and provided little shade, so included plants that were drought resistant and could take a windy day, drawing up a concept of the space with a gallery of appropriate plants and allowed me to curate from there. I have loved the reinvigoration of my terrace, finding myself taking it all in when I am out there, and look forward to working with Shaun again when I’m back to add more!’
