Biodiversity

Flowering plants are followed by perennials – forgotten location in Arnhem has gradually developed into an exuberant urban garden.Arnhem city council presented an ambitious vision for a radical greening of the city. Commissioned by the municipality, LOLA Landscape Architects studied the area of the South-East Canal of Arnhem, at the height of Eusebuisk Church and Stadskantoor, and made several proposals for greening this area and steps to achieve an overarching green structure. Arjan Boekel for LOLA Landscape Architects One of the most striking proposals within this initiative is Super Blossom (Superbloei), a project that removes large sections of pavement and replaces them with lush green spaces to promote biodiversity. The are... More

The Haitang River, its surrounding dunes, and marshlands will become a natural landscape, in which urban, agricultural, and touristic functions are blended in harmoniously. From a sea viewpoint, one can witness the river gracefully flowing through a forested landscape, all the way to the mountains.  Yoya Yoya In 2023 LOLA Landscape Architects won the design competition for the design of the Haitang River Park, in Chinese city of Sanya. The Haitang River project plays a central and crucial role in accomplishing this vision. Numerous natural destinations worldwide lost their distinctive qualities due to tourist over-exploitation. The aim is to strike the right balance between nature preservation and touristic development, harm... More

Introduction Nestled in the heart of Stuttgart's city center, the Calwer Passage introduces lush greenery into the cityscape while preserving heritage-listed building sections. The greening of façades and rooftops establishes a high-quality urban space with a natural, healthy climate, providing an architectural answer to the climate change challenges. The rich diversity of species generates a vibrant and ever-changing appearance.  Architecturally distinctive, this pioneering project significantly enhances the resilience and appeal of the city. © HGEsch Project Description The redesign of the Calwer Passage involves the replacement of a 1970s building's upper volume with a new, lushly greened structure, while partia... More

Project Vision and Site Insights Nestled between the Satpura and Vindhyachal mountain ranges in the Narmada district, Kevadiya is home to the 182m-tall Statue of Unity (SoU), which has transformed the region into a global tourism destination, driving socio-economic growth across a 100-km radius.  The proposed Kevadiya State Bhavan located near the SoU, on a scenic 73.85-acre site, is a monumental initiative by the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited (SSNNL) to build a cultural and administrative hub that aligns with the principle of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” or “the world is one family.” The project brief integrates well all programs into unique experience for visitors that include State bhavans, Convention ce... More

How can we adapt our cities for the coming challenges with rising water levels? ​The Coastal Path is a solution for the flood protection line to protect Vejle from storm surges and rising sea water level. Additional land is added to the current edge in a form of nature basins connected by three paths meandering between the different levels. The proposed paths and basins are designed to secure the coastal elevation until 2100.  The paths create a missing link between the city (the harbor and the city center) and the nature of Vejle Fjord and The Deer Park forest. Currently, the recreational experience is disturbed by the presence of heavy traffic and the train tracks. The Coastal Path and raised landscaping act as an intelligent buffer... More

Snug opposite Shakespeare's Globe, favourably positioned on a 6th floor up-close landmark views, this Mediterranean roof garden enjoys vistas of St Paul’s behind it & Tate, the Globe & Millennium & Southwark Bridges in front. Situated in EC4, this compact  rooftop garden features a redolent,verdant cascade of Mediterranean plant species & cosy Manutti sofas.  Marianne Majerus With our clients in Portugal for parts of the year, this rooftop echoes their Mediterranean lifestyle. The plants endure well in this 360-degree sunny and windy prospect, resisting River Thames’ airstreams, heat & pollution.     Marianne Majerus   The breadth of iconic landmarks provides architectura... More

Our first biodiverse roof garden way back in summer 2014 was driven by two major factors: the lack of greenery in the street beneath, and the clients’ adoration in their countryside garden. Perched above the junction of Old Street & Goswell Road in trendy Clerkenwell EC1, the rooftop garden is oblong, spanning a 20-metre length x 3 metres. We created a sibling rooftop on the top level of this duplex penthouse to grow fruit & vegetables. To alleviate this oblongness, we designed 3 zones defined by surface changes from decking to sandstone and grass. Each area features its own planting style: the deck has shrubs, the stone herbs and the grass native trees. Marianne Majerus With 70 plant species, biodiversity is extensive... More

Snug brightly on the 6th floor of the Ziggurat Building in Saffron Hill, London EC1, this art deco roof garden, albeit only 30 sqm in size, is one of the most unique projects we’ve created. Amir Schlezinger With a barrister client who’s an ornithologist & pianist, we were invited to develop the terrace back in 2013. We resurfaced the roof terrace with Balau hardwood decking and black granite paving, detailed with angular LED strip lighting. Amir Schlezinger Bespoke cavity planters, positioned overlooking the city increase spatial depth, let daylight in and feature LED lights which generate a warm glow. The skyline features The Barbican, Shard, Cheese Grater & St Paul’s. Amir Schlezinger Over the y... More

Exchange Square, designed by DSDHA, is a refurbishment of a major 1.5-acre public park above the tracks of Liverpool Street Station in London. Our terrazzo was supplied throughout, including water features, amphitheatre steps, paving and planter edges with complex 3D pieces. The challenge for In Opera was to provide over 3000 pieces, 90% of which were unique and many having to fit into each other perfectly. The 1.5-acre park will see a four-fold increase in the amount of planting and dramatically enhance biodiversity, with 25% of the area featuring green space that is accessible to all. Quadrupling the amount of green space at Broadgate, the aim is to boost the emotional and physical well-being of those that work at Broadgate and the local... More

Perched mid-height at the heart of Central London in Holborn, this natural roof garden is all about Mother Nature. Brimming with sprawling plants & teeming with denizen wildlife, this space is a London retreat for our Australian clients who run a large reserve in Brogers Creek, NSW.  Amir Schlezinger Amir Schlezinger Ablaze in autumn, redolent in winter, energised in spring & full of summer festivities, this untamed roof garden celebrates nature full-on. Urban roof terraces are where environmental stewardship is so vital, to support fauna with biodiversity, sympathetic maintenance & recyclable materials, as we should nurse, safeguard & conserve nature. Amir Schlezinger Amir Schlezinger 30 bespoke p... More

Perched high above the picturesque North Downs in Surrey, south of London, this lush roof garden is a biodiverse oasis for both owners & wildlife. Featuring an abundance of biota-friendly species, grown in 50 bespoke planters, there’s focal interest in every season. The bespoke planters create 3 main zones for displaying modern sculpture by the keen art collectors clients, placed symmetrically within perpendicular troughs as key focal points. Our clients have downsized into a brand-new modern penthouse apartment from a large country home, where this roof garden is of great importance for well-being, socialising & displaying art. Amir Schlezinger Amir Schlezinger The planters are made from 3mm high-grade aluminium a... More