Bringing nature back to the city although not a new idea it is a growing imperative for cities which have failed making greenery and communal areas a priority in their urban planning. A house that helps greening the city, promoting shared spaces and social dialogue between its residents is what inspired us designing the garden house. Our concept emphasises the potential for private urban gardens, the microclimates they create to improve living conditions within cities and maintain biodiversity.

This project has been a fantastic opportunity to reintroduce nature to the heart of Barcelona. The Xifré Rooftop is a dual purpose renovation project, in terms of both architecture and ecology. Covering an early 19th-century block of ten buildings, this contemporary roof garden creates a “floating” wild space that enhances urban biodiversity and opportunities for social interaction between neighbours. Furthermore, the rooftop elements of the historic building have been carefully restored.