10 Clever Urban Gardens
Take a look at how modern homes and urban sites have brought in greenery to create their own piece of paradise
Whether it is an elaborately designed landscape at the back of the house or a small green patch in a courtyard surrounded by concrete, urban gardens come in all shapes and sizes and are a great source of joy and relaxation. Are you planning to punch in some greenery in or around your home too? Here are some inspiring gardens that caught our eye.
2. A serene courtyard
A courtyard in a house has the potential to become a wonderful garden, and for me, this one by Hiren Patel Architects steals the show. The reflection pool and the planters scattered around it create a Zen-like appeal. Carefully selected plants, lit up by accent lights and lanterns, make this courtyard the scenic focus of the house. The pool of water also mitigates the hot and arid climate of Ahmedabad by creating a soothing micro-climate.
See more pictures of this house here
A courtyard in a house has the potential to become a wonderful garden, and for me, this one by Hiren Patel Architects steals the show. The reflection pool and the planters scattered around it create a Zen-like appeal. Carefully selected plants, lit up by accent lights and lanterns, make this courtyard the scenic focus of the house. The pool of water also mitigates the hot and arid climate of Ahmedabad by creating a soothing micro-climate.
See more pictures of this house here
3. A sprightly stairwell
No lawn, no backyard, no balcony? Check this out! This unique green space was the solution to the lack of ventilation in a narrow house. To facilitate the movement of air inside, a landscaped atrium was designed at the centre, which also serves as the stairwell of this home in Thrissur. Lijo.Reni.architects has brought in lush, low-maintenance plants like philodendrons, dragon plants and bamboo.
No lawn, no backyard, no balcony? Check this out! This unique green space was the solution to the lack of ventilation in a narrow house. To facilitate the movement of air inside, a landscaped atrium was designed at the centre, which also serves as the stairwell of this home in Thrissur. Lijo.Reni.architects has brought in lush, low-maintenance plants like philodendrons, dragon plants and bamboo.
4. Saying it with art
Built on naturally contoured land in Vadodara, this house has an elegant formal garden that acts as a retreat in which to rest and meditate. Art, bold lines and sculptures define the design strategy of Dipen Gada and Associates for this landscape. The white tree sculptures, the chequered grass floor and the human figurines create a number of focal points. You too can consider installing sculptures to add a new layer of depth to your garden’s design. Elevate the ambience of the space further by installing accent lights.
Take a tour of this house
Built on naturally contoured land in Vadodara, this house has an elegant formal garden that acts as a retreat in which to rest and meditate. Art, bold lines and sculptures define the design strategy of Dipen Gada and Associates for this landscape. The white tree sculptures, the chequered grass floor and the human figurines create a number of focal points. You too can consider installing sculptures to add a new layer of depth to your garden’s design. Elevate the ambience of the space further by installing accent lights.
Take a tour of this house
5. A tropical getaway
How relaxing it is to unwind with an evening walk in a garden amidst beautiful aromatic plants! This bungalow on the outskirts of Delhi has lush gardens in its courtyards and in the surrounding grounds. Trees and plants with fragrant flowers grow close to the house and colourful ones decorate the garden’s periphery. Lily pools, wooden colonnades and a pitched roof complete a culturally rooted setting in an urban area. Kumar Moorthy & Associates has also incorporated a rainwater harvesting system and a greenhouse for rare plants on the site.
Take a tour of this house here
How relaxing it is to unwind with an evening walk in a garden amidst beautiful aromatic plants! This bungalow on the outskirts of Delhi has lush gardens in its courtyards and in the surrounding grounds. Trees and plants with fragrant flowers grow close to the house and colourful ones decorate the garden’s periphery. Lily pools, wooden colonnades and a pitched roof complete a culturally rooted setting in an urban area. Kumar Moorthy & Associates has also incorporated a rainwater harvesting system and a greenhouse for rare plants on the site.
Take a tour of this house here
6. A lively backyard
Don’t you love the sound of flowing water? In Mumbai, The BNK Group turned the rear part of a house into a private retreat complete with a water feature, living walls and a patio deck for seating. This home also features a landscaped inner court. Both the green areas have air-purifying houseplants like money plants and ferns.
Don’t you love the sound of flowing water? In Mumbai, The BNK Group turned the rear part of a house into a private retreat complete with a water feature, living walls and a patio deck for seating. This home also features a landscaped inner court. Both the green areas have air-purifying houseplants like money plants and ferns.
7. Tough terrain transformed
One can create a beautifully landscaped garden on sloping land. To make best use of steep natural terrain, Ajay Suryawanshi has built high platforms and steps to access and to separate different areas of this farmhouse garden in Pune. Local masonry techniques root this garden in its surrounding context.
One can create a beautifully landscaped garden on sloping land. To make best use of steep natural terrain, Ajay Suryawanshi has built high platforms and steps to access and to separate different areas of this farmhouse garden in Pune. Local masonry techniques root this garden in its surrounding context.
8. A terrace retreat
Yes, you can have a delightful garden on the terrace, too. This Delhi home has transformed one of its boundary walls into a living one. Spaces Architects@ka has designed two sitting zones – one open to the elements, the other climate-controlled.
Yes, you can have a delightful garden on the terrace, too. This Delhi home has transformed one of its boundary walls into a living one. Spaces Architects@ka has designed two sitting zones – one open to the elements, the other climate-controlled.
9. Apartment landscaping
How about having dinner on a deck surrounded by nature … within the confines of your own apartment? Shibanee and Kamal Sagar styled this landscape in a semi-open space in an apartment in Bengaluru. Spider plants, areca palms, bamboo and peace lilies have been brought in, and a pool of water heightens the feel of a tropical retreat. In these kinds of designs, do ensure that proper waterproofing and drainage systems are installed.
How about having dinner on a deck surrounded by nature … within the confines of your own apartment? Shibanee and Kamal Sagar styled this landscape in a semi-open space in an apartment in Bengaluru. Spider plants, areca palms, bamboo and peace lilies have been brought in, and a pool of water heightens the feel of a tropical retreat. In these kinds of designs, do ensure that proper waterproofing and drainage systems are installed.
10. A balcony garden
If you are limited, as many of us are, to a small balcony in an apartment, this can be a great solution. I personally love this arrangement by Studio Earthbox. A lively little garden getaway has been designed for this small outdoor space on the second floor of a Delhi apartment. Informal seating, stepped planters and hanging plants create a cosy living space in which to enjoy balmy evenings.
Read more:
Courtyards that Mesmerise
How to Grow a Green Thumb
Tell us:
Which landscaping scheme best suits your home? Share pictures of your garden in the Comments section below.
If you are limited, as many of us are, to a small balcony in an apartment, this can be a great solution. I personally love this arrangement by Studio Earthbox. A lively little garden getaway has been designed for this small outdoor space on the second floor of a Delhi apartment. Informal seating, stepped planters and hanging plants create a cosy living space in which to enjoy balmy evenings.
Read more:
Courtyards that Mesmerise
How to Grow a Green Thumb
Tell us:
Which landscaping scheme best suits your home? Share pictures of your garden in the Comments section below.
The basic principles of Vastu Shastra* were followed in zoning this verdant space near Kolkata, which stretches between a pool house (the white building in the background), a modern gazebo and a vine-fringed residence. Uneven mounds, coconut trees and the hardscape – the structures and pathways – are the elements that dominate in the minimalist theme of this landscape designed by Abin Design Studio. If you have a large lawn like this one, composing it wisely is the key. You might create some vertical interest by building artificial knolls. Plant a diverse range of flora to create rich textures. An extended patio or gazebo can be a fantastic addition.
*Traditional Hindu system of architectural philosophy of direction that combines five elements of nature and balance them with the man and material