Not just a Backyard
Thirty square metres above a garage. Wind exposure. Full visibility from neighbouring properties. Tight load limits. That was the brief.
The clients wanted something that felt generous. Somewhere to retreat. Somewhere to gather. Not a compromise, even though the site suggested otherwise. So the question wasn’t styling. It was how to shift perception without increasing footprint.
Curves That Change How Space Feels
We avoided straight lines entirely. A corten steel wall moves through the terrace, folding into seating. Planters soften into edges. Nothing stops abruptly. The eye keeps moving. Three steps drop into a circular lounge. Not as a feature for its own sake, but to create depth and change how the space is read.
Curves stretch the visual field. Level changes build layers. The terrace feels larger because it never reveals its limits all at once.
A Sunken Space That Shapes Behaviour
Step down, and everything shifts. People settle. Conversations slow. The circular lounge creates a natural centre, while the surrounding planting and screening add a sense of enclosure without closing the space off. Above, raised seating offers a different posture. Perch or recline. Move or stay. One compact area, multiple ways to use it. Small spaces need clarity like this. Otherwise, they feel cluttered or uncertain.
Planting That Handles Exposure
Rooftops are harsh environments. Heat builds. Wind cuts through. Soil depth is limited. So the planting had to earn its place. Succulents take the heat. Herbs and edibles bring life without excess weight. Compact trees soften structure. A pergola carries deciduous vines, filtering summer sun while letting winter light through. It’s layered, but not heavy. Structured, but still loose enough to feel alive.
Built to Perform, Not Just Look Good
Before anything aesthetic, the structure had to work. Drainage, load distribution, waterproofing, every layer resolved early.
The corten steel wasn’t chosen for appearance alone. It weathers, stabilises, and improves over time. Integrated lighting sits within the structure, keeping the space clean as it shifts into evening use.
Nearly a decade on, it still performs. The planting has thickened. The materials have settled. The space feels more complete now than when it was built.
Thinking about your own rooftop or constrained site? Start with a consultation. We’ll assess the structure, the exposure, and what’s actually possible before design begins.
