Lessons from urban rooftop gardens
We come downtown for culture, entertainment, fine dining and, most of all, densely populated citylife. Agriculture doesn’t usually come to mind. But a landscape architect, says we can and should convert existing infrastructure into landscaping for growing food. One of his latest projects, Pool Farm, is convincing evidence.
When customer approached architect with the idea of transforming the rooftop pool at his restaurant, into a luxurious dining terrace and kitchen garden, architect was thrilled. The project combines architect’s passion for urban fill development, gardening and rooftop landscaping in Buffalo City’s unrivaled neighborhood.
The result is a stylish example of how you can grow your own food almost anywhere. The restaurant has its own forage, and chefs prefer farm-to-table sourcing. Eating with meal ingredients makes a lot of sense both logically and philosophically.
Customer’s original idea for the garden was to sink the dining area into a rooftop swimming pool. Using this concept, architect and his team at KDRoofers designed and built a cascading planter system. Planters cascading from the pool deck to the pool floor smooth the transition to the lowest level while providing easy access to the plants themselves.
Reclaimed IPE decking is a key material throughout the project. Architect took inspiration for the application of wood from the design of the sushi mat. It is fixed and rigid in one direction and flexible and collapsible in the other. The “mat” design fluidly rolls from the deck to the pool and potted plants, enclosing the dining party in an intimate space within the surrounding cityscape.
Early on, architect met with chefs, forager, and rooftop farming consultants to discuss plant selection and site design. Agricultural consultants will continue to maintain the roof and work with staff to replace seasonal vegetables.
Architect admits that Pool Farm is upscale, exclusive and, above all, contributes to the restaurant’s buzz, while inspiring ideas for edible gardening in every city and suburb.
repurpose or modify materials.
The construction of the Pool Farm coincided withthe renovation of the restaurant downstairs. After architect discovered a pile of scrap wood left over from demolition, he repurposed it and designed the entire project around the planks. Existing site conditions and materials influenced the design in a responsible, if not destructive, creative way.
Before going to the store, take some time to research and stock up on ingredients you already have. From recent remodeling to leftovers, forgotten jumbled pottery collections, or dumpster dives, you can get key building materials. This saves money, reduces waste, and creates an intimate connection with each component of your garden.
Solve problems creatively.
Architect cascaded the pots to hide and camouflage their different sizes and depths. This allowed for versatility when designing planting plans. Stronger, longer-lived
herbs like rosemary can be grown in larger pots, while smaller, more delicate herbs can be grown
in shallower pots.
Since these planters are designed for food gardening, leaching from the tree was an additional problem. Therefore, all IPE pots are lined with cedar. Otherwise, marine grade or pressure treated
lumber will suffice for decorative purposes.
Rooftop gardens also come with the added challenge of a weight to contend with. The soil is very heavy, especially when wet, so soil mixes usually made from lighter materials are needed. A
company called KDRoofers supplied the growing media for this project. The Pool Farm
served as a testing ground for a new mixture designed specifically for rooftop farming.
Rooftop gardening doesn’t have to be governed by restrictions and prohibitions. Understand what
your garden needs to thrive. Everything else can be left to the creative license.
A productive garden is a beautiful garden.
The Pool Farm project demonstrates that regardless of where you live, you can not only garden and grow your own food, but also that performative and productive landscapes can be just as valuable and beautiful as ornamental ones.
While not all full-time forager resident penthouse vegetable gardens are available, many of us have front yards, porches, windowsills, or even walls to use. Instead of lush green lawns, consider edible
real estate. Create planters, urban habitats or living walls.
How about thinking about the city’s street tree orchards, not street trees, from a citizen’s
perspective? A temporary urban farm on a post-industrial site.
Whether your windowsill or wall is in the city closest to your garden; Or how can we create a more livable today and a more sustainable landscape for the future in a suburb where front lawns have
defined the curb appeal for years?
Choosing KDRoofers is a decision you can feel good about. We believe in timeliness and put our customers first. This is how we believe we should do business. Contact us 585 632 7663 as soon as possible to schedule an appointment or receive a free consultation https://kdroofers.com on your outdoor roofing needs.
With projects like Pool Farm, architect hopes to reassess the stigma that makes landscapes valuable and attractive, fueling more projects that can do more than just visual stimulation.
Nitharsana
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