Architects are planning green roofs, especially in large, developed cities, where the lack of space and overpriced land affects the reduced number of parks and green spaces. Urban green spaces offer numerous benefits, some of them are environmental, social, and economic …

There are different green roof types, depending on the vegetation used and whether they are physically accessible. In this post, we will consider Intensive roof gardens where all plant species are presented, including trees. People can access and use such open spaces, provided they are designed according to the regulations (construction load capacity, safety measures …). Through examples of projects, designed by the Foster + Partners team, we will deal with the impact of green roofs on the immediate users of the architectural space.

The largest rooftop garden

One of London’s largest rooftop gardens is the Battersea Roof Gardens on top of the building with the same name. It is part of the third phase of the Battersea Power Station masterplan. Foster + Partners designed the building situated next to Battersea Power Station. LDA Design  delivered the landscape design, which was developed in conjunction with James Corner Field Operations. The roof garden design aligns with the architecture and the curving plan of the Battersea Roof Gardens building.

The mixed-use building comprises 436 apartments, and the 164-room art’otel London Battersea Power Station.

The roof garden intended for all of the building’s residents, occupies the sixteenth floor. The Parkland Promenade offers a spectacular view of the magnificent power station and its iconic chimneys, the River Thames and the whole of London as a 360-degree panorama. Penthouse apartments have private terraces, also with spectacular views. Guests staying at the hotel have access to their rooftop garden with a lounge bar and infinity pool, overlooking the iconic power plant chimneys.

The garden has 23,000 perennial plants, 55 trees, and grassy areas for various activities.  Residents are provided with a place to relax in nature, breathe above the city and enjoy the view of the iconic chimneys of the power plant. Grassy areas are the spaces for walking, running, and sports activities such as yoga, fitness or similar. A selection of curved seating parts, communal dining tables and wooden sun loungers, are suitable for lounging, spending time together and small events like picnics. The neighbours can congregate and socialize here, enjoying the beauty of nature. Perennial plantings bring variability to the space during the seasons. Changing plants’ appearance gives the space a special quality.

At night, residents can continue to enjoy the roof garden thanks to subtle, soft ambient lighting within the landscaping.

This beautiful Battersea Roof Gardens is a viewpoint with breathtaking views, a social space for various activities (exercising, stretching…), and a place of memorable experiences.

The Benefits of Connecting with Nature

Connection of humans to their natural environment, in this case with roof gardens, improves different aspects of well-being.

Physical health

Physical health implies the good functioning of the entire human organism, i.e. its organs and senses together. How do environmental factors affect the human organism's physical well-being, as a complex system?

We will consider the impact of the environment and daily habits of users in nature, that is, on roof gardens, and their impact on people's health.

Green areas contribute to the environment and cleaner, healthier air, which in turn reduces the risk of health problems for residents. Polluted air harms people's physical health and can cause respiratory problems. Trees and plants in urban green areas improve air quality. They filter and reduce polluted air particles and gases (nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide and similar particles) and produce the necessary oxygen through photosynthesis.

The design of roof gardens provides spaces for exercise, sports and leisure activities, and in that way, they contribute to users' physical health and well-being. Numerous activities can be performed here: walking, running, cycling and playing group or individual sports.  People who exercise outdoors are less tired and less likely to suffer from obesity and related lifestyle diseases.

An active outdoor lifestyle contributes to the prevention of disorders and the reduction of risks to human health. It enables the general condition of the organism to be optimal and the individual functions to be well balanced (function of the nervous system, function of the heart and cardiovascular system, functions of the digestive organs and intestines..)

In some cases, on green roofs, there is a possibility for another environmentally acceptable activity - urban agriculture. It involves using these spaces as miniature farms that produce fresh food. In addition to the benefits brought by physical activities, in this case a positive effect is the development of healthy eating habits.

The construction and layers of green roofs can be beneficial in reducing noise pollution. The combination of soil and plants can help absorb, reflect or bounce sound waves in the building. The reduction of noise sources affects the protection of the hearing apparatus of people, users of these spaces

Outdoor activities reduce the chances of developing eyesight problems.

Emotional well-being

Outdoor activities, including activities on roof gardens, have a positive effect on the general physical state of people's health. Time spent in nature is also associated with emotional well-being.

In large cities, the amount of green oases is in most cases insufficient or unavailable. Simple and quick access to nature in urban areas, as in the case of roof gardens, represents a great advantage. It encourages the user's satisfaction, which relates not only to the use of the roof garden but also to the real estate itself, its characteristics and location.

The view from the top floor, especially of tall buildings, is most often enchanting, as if from some wonderful viewpoint. It leaves an irresistible impression on the observer, arouses surprise and delight.

Apple The Exchange TRX, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.Architects: Foster + Partners (2024)

Photo Foster + Partners

Green roof gardens are decorative, captivating spaces that attract the visitors' attention with their appearance and raise the level of aesthetic quality of the built space. For the user of the garden, it represents a place to admire the beauty of nature. Staying in a peaceful environment, and enjoying the greenery has a soothing effect, offering refuge from the pressures of city life, stress and negative emotions.

Outdoor activities (sitting, lying down, sunbathing, observing, walking, exercising...) cause a feeling of satisfaction, reduce stress and contribute to focusing attention from the cause of the problem to other activities. Fulfilment of the set goals in terms of physical condition strengthens the user's motivation and self-confidence, and among people with health problems, the will to return to normal.

The roof gardens provide users with a pleasant and comfortable stay, both during hot summers and cold winters. Green areas help moderate the ambient temperature and regulate the climate. Large trees and parks can reduce ambient temperatures in urban areas. Reduced levels of pollution and increased levels of air and water quality are the characteristics of these miniature forests that separate them from other areas. This has a positive impact on the mood of residents, who feel pleasant and comfortable.

The spaces of roof gardens are attractive urban landscapes, habitats of various flora and fauna types. Perennial planting changes, creates a vivid environment of attractive colors, flowers, and structures. In addition to numerous types of trees and bushes, present pollinators (bees and butterflies...) are of vital importance for maintaining biodiversity. The bird species present  also change due to natural migrations. Users experience the variability of green spaces with interest, curiosity and delight.

Social well-being

Green spaces act as common spaces for various social events (sports, cultural, educational...) in the community. For the individual, these are places where people can gather, communicate and build social connections, encouraging a stronger sense of belonging, and reducing the feeling of isolation.

Retail & Roof Gardens

One of the examples of a building with a roof garden is Apple The Exchange TRKS (2024), which is located within the new Tun Razak Exchange (TRKS) in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia). The store extends over three levels, while at the top there is an observation deck directly connected to the park,

The design creates a visual and spatial connection between the central atrium of the

Shopping Centre and the park. The rooftop park consists of sections with lush tropical vegetation and a communal lawn that wraps around the upper level of the store.

The lawn is a place of relaxation, and a place to think about the offer in the sales area or make a final decision about the purchase. It is a place for socializing outdoors, sharing experiences or checking the performance of the device purchased in the Malaysian Apple Store.

The visual connection between the interior space and nature, through the large glass walls, brings additional quality to the interior itself.

A Look at the Positive Effects of Connecting with Nature through Roof Gardens

Simply put, well-being is just a good feeling. Well-being is a set of experiences of health, happiness and prosperity, It includes good mental health, high life satisfaction, a sense of meaning in life and the ability to manage stress. Well-being is related to emotional, social, spiritual, physical and intellectual condition. All the listed areas are interconnected and each of them has the potential to influence other areas of our well-being. Staying on the roof gardens triggers a series of positive feelings that affect our physical and emotional, i.e. mental health, considering that emotional health is a part of mental health.

Walking in nature is enough to help regulate memory functions, benefits people suffering from depression, and has a positive effect on mood. Physical activities promote relaxation, improve sleep, and reduce stress and anxiety. Exercising of any kind performed outdoors means more energy, increased concentration, better performance and better productivity of the individual. Activity on green surfaces can reduce the incidence of diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and heart disease. An increased risk of cancer and respiratory diseases can be caused by a bad mental state that negatively affects physical health. Reduced levels of pollution, better quality of water and air, provided by roof gardens, and physical activities in these conditions, could affect the reduction of health care costs and medicines related to the treatment of chronic diseases and mental conditions.

Connections with the environment achieve numerous positive effects on all levels of individual well-being. Connections with greenery on the roof affect people's consciousness, and their healthier outlook on life and contribute to the improvement of the general mental state. People become happier and better prepared to manage their feelings and emotions. A positive sense of well-being enables each individual to fit in and function in society more easily and respond to the needs of everyday life.

Planning and building roof gardens is important not only for the individual's mental health or well-being but also for society as a whole.