Lauren Santo Domingo’s Exceptional Rooftop Garden in Paris
Have you heard of “Harvesting Happiness”… I recently read an article about how hospitals and hospices are adding gardens or rooftop gardens as a form of therapy for well being. The belief is that gardens have strong restorative powers that promote healing and happiness. The idea being that Gardens enable us to get in the “zone” similar to the conscious state during deep meditation or after a good run while also providing the benefit of exercising by burning an average of 400 calories per hour. The benefits of gardening or being in a garden are seen not only at the physical level but also mental. “A garden lifts the heart, soul and spirit. Although those are quite ephemeral words, we know that when you put people in space with a view, it does something for their mood and anxiety levels.” Laura Lee, Maggie’s chief executive. It’s very comforting to see how over and over these psychological and environmental surveys often conclude on the simple fact that everything arises from and comes back to one main source, nature… beauty… all that comes from a higher source.
Now, there are extraordinary natural wonders such as the Grand Canyon, the Northern Light and many others God given nature resources that don’t need any human hand to make them greater. They are perfect enough in their natural state, however a man-made, designed garden can be quite spectacular and uplifting as well. When nature provides, man creates… and regardless of the space, whether indoors or outdoors, we all can create our own little Garden heaven. These amazing exceptional rooftop gardens can be inspirational. Now, not all of us have the space and resources of these privileged gardens but we can take small steps such as bringing plants indoors and learning how to take care of them or maybe by even make one of our rooms with great natural light into an orangery. For more rooftop garden inspirations see our Beautiful New York City Backyards post.
Mario Buatta rooftop garden in New York City
Alfredo Paredes New York City beautiful rooftop
Ett Hem Hotel designed by Ilse Crawford.
Nina Griscom rooftop via Architectural Digest
