How innovative thinking of unused space can increase development value and create that that all important point of difference……
This blog provides a brief insight into the importance of utilising external space, adding value and market appeal to a commercial development. As a leading landscape design practice, Aralia have had the opportunity to work closely with developers and architects, readdressing the importance of external spaces, creating a point of difference and ultimately increasing the value, and with faster sales process. These external spaces can vary from roof terraces design or private ground floor courtyards, to green roofs and lobby entrance spaces, each giving merit to the overall development.
More often than not we are finding that when budgets are allocated for commercial developments, the external spaces are not being fully recognised for their potential benefits, more often than not becoming an afterthought with minimal budgets allocated to them. The following two case studies highlight the benefits of considering the external spaces as an integral part of the overall scheme.
Aralia was commissioned as the Landscape designers for property developer, St George (Berkley Home Group), to deliver a series of roof terrace designsfor their penthouse collection in London. Working alongside Tara Bernerd who has designed the interiors, and Broadway Malyon Architects, Aralia designed a series of London rooftop gardens, which although individually unique, have an underlying design thread, which runs throughout the whole series, providing a unified scheme across the development.
Inspiration was taken from both the architecture of the building, and from the interiors elements which were being developed concurrently. This ground-breaking series of London roof terraces embraced the very latest in landscape architecture, encompassing quality natural materials such as corten steel, granite and shot blasted glass, whilst introducing contemporary state of the art outdoor kitchens, outdoor fireplaces, water features and green walls. Landscape Art also has a key focus, with the introduction of specially commissioned pieces for stone sculptures and unique glass art. The linear hard landscape design, with fluid rivers of under lit glass, related beautifully to the linearity of the canals below.
The design for the soft landscaping schemes were challenging – the gardens needed to be relatively low maintenance, they needed to stand up to the harsh environment of a London rooftop location, whilst also still providing seasonality and all year interest. The planting scheme is linear, and highly contemporary in nature, evergreen planting provides all year structure and form, with warm rusts and burnt orange flower head’s providing a splash of seasonal colour, complementary to the features throughout.
Aralia were the Landscape Architects working within a multi-disciplinary consultant team to deliver the design strategy for the terraces.
Knightsbridge Rooftop Terrace
This late 19th century property in Knightsbridge London was selected by one of the leading luxury international property developers, to renovate into luxury apartments with an adjoining roof terrace to the rear. Aralia were appointed for the roof terraces design, together with a multidisciplinary team of architects, engineers and interior designers to overcome the sites constraints and create a beautiful and very high quality roof garden. In the short term, the roof terrace served to attract buyers by reflecting the high level of quality associated with this particular developer as well as innovative design solutions to combat a very difficult site, whilst in the long term having to provide a series of very elegant and contemporary garden spaces.
Each area was unique in its design but shared the same material language to ensure a consistency throughout the garden. Beautiful and elegant features were included to give visual delight and provide focal features within the space. The most spectacular of which included a full-length water feature which split the terrace, meaning that each side was only accessible via a single stepping stone. The water feature consisted of a very clean and simple water chute which spilled seamlessly down hidden slots, creating a stunningly reflective element. A soft cascade sound from the water added to the overall ambience of the space.
The roof terrace offers the user a sumptuous garden retreat, combining outdoor dining and luxury lounge area with beautiful features such as an extravagant fire pit and structural archways and raised planters. Together these features heighten a sense of journey and experience in this small urban garden.
Both of these projects were recognised for their landscape value which greatly attributed to the overall development. The Chelsea Creek roof terrace apartments were all sold from plan, ahead of a single brick being laid, which was a huge feat at the time. This together with the Knightsbridge apartments selling in record time, highlighted that external spaces can have a significant impact on the success of a development. The key to the success of Landscape design for property developers, as highlighted in the above case studies, hinged around the idea of incorporating the landscape as an integral part of the marketing strategy, developing innovative concepts which stood out from the norm. This together with well-considered and adequate budgets being assigned roof terraces design from the outset, ensuring enough scope was available to create stunning rooftop landscapes.
