Perhaps it’s the tidal pull of the nearby North Sea, but when you stand at ground level in this garden in Zeeland, the Netherlands, the entire house appears to be floating above its concrete base. This impression is only enhanced by a series of three green-roof gardens suspended above ground level. It turns out this floating illusion is entirely by design, in a split-level collaboration between Dutch architect Bart Vos and landscape designer Piet Oudolf, with logistical support from Dutch designer Tom de Witte.
The roof gardens came high on the client’s original wishlist – designed for optimal viewing from inside through the upper-storey bank of windows. Piet updated his essential matrix concept for the occasion in what he describes as “a complex matrix with everything repeating” to create a low shimmering haze of resilient perennials and grasses.
Top tips for creating a successful green roof
Dutch garden designer Tom de Witte shares essential advice for roof and podium planting
• Before all else, consult a structural engineer to ascertain the load-bearing capacity for a given roof structure. This determines the maximum depth of engineered soil substrate, allowing for rain saturation and drainage with a minimum two-degree slope.
• What are termed 'extensive' roofs have substrate depths of less than 15cm deep, which is better suited to simpler, low-maintenance plantings. This project has 'intensive' roofs with a more generous depth of 15-20cm, comprised of recycled brick, soil and lava rock. Greater depth allows far more planting options.
This story is from the July 2023 edition of Gardens Illustrated.
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This story is from the July 2023 edition of Gardens Illustrated.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
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