VIRTUAL London Heritages Conference

Abstract

This presentation explores the intersection of landscape and architectural design through a historical study of rooftop gardens. It aims to highlight the unique “intention of garden” inherent to rooftops, characterized by the desire to provide a sensitive experience through the creation of a complex and organized planted space in elevation, fostering a close and daily relationship between architecture and landscape. To analyze this typology, 19 European buildings were selected, including single-family houses, collective housing, and religious structures, constructed between the 2nd century BCE and the late 20th century. These buildings—ranging from heritage monuments to more discreet works—were redrawn and analyzed based on surveys, site visits, and archival documents. The study identifies three major and enduring design approaches that articulate architecture and landscape over time: first, the relationship between the constructive aspects of the structure—which evolved significantly with the advent of reinforced concrete in the 20th century—and the constitutive elements of the garden; second, the integration of water systems and other technical devices essential to plant vitality within the architectural framework; and finally, the ongoing dialogue between architectural and landscape composition. These principles directly shape the nature of the lived experience—whether shared or intimate, daily or exceptional—and become key parameters in understanding this “intention of garden” on rooftops. By reconstructing this history, the research seeks to inform and enrich contemporary reflections on the relationship between architecture, landscape, and everyday practices, especially in the context of ongoing urban and environmental transitions.