Nouvelle at Natick, by Martha Schwartz Partners, Natick (MA), USA. The concept of modern urban living is based on the idea of comfort wrapped up in luxury. Nouvelle at Natick is the best proof that urban living has evolved to a point where it can offer luxury, privacy, and breathtaking views. The project was started by General Growth Properties, and it involved the creation of Parc Nouvelle, a splendid roof garden. The designer was Martha Schwartz, one of the top names in the field of landscape architecture. Nouvelle at Natick extends over a surface of 34,850 square feet and was completed in 2008. When looking at how the roof garden turned out in the end, it should come as no surprise that the project received the BSLA Award (Boston Society of Landscape Architects) in 2012.
Nouvelle at Natick – The Best of Urban Living
The design chosen for the rooftop deck is unique, presenting the beauty of nature from a spatial and visual perspective. As one walks through the roof garden, the rich colors enhance the visual experience. The residents can view the roof garden right from the comfort of their own apartments, enjoying the multitude of elements and the ever-shifting sea of colors. This rooftop delivers the perfect view, the deck being the central element. There are also two roof deck extensions that bring a private space to some of the residents.
Plant Selection Majestic trees have been chosen to complement the entire scenery, providing much-desired shade during hot summer days. The greenery has been carefully selected, including the most amazing diversity of ornamental grasses. Add to that the flowering perennials that change color with the seasons and the evergreen shrubs, and you have the perfect image of what a rooftop should look like. Other Articles Featuring Martha Schwartz:- Gasworks Into Artworks – The Rebirth of Dublin’s Waterfront
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Social interaction within the green outdoors As this is an age in which physical social interaction loses ground to the kind that happens online, one should be happy to have a roof garden as a social space. Nouvelle at Natick has been specially designed to connect the residences. Thus, it encourages the residents to interact and enjoy the open green space together.
The rooftop deck provides residents with the opportunity to interact, socialize, and discover the beauty of the space at the same time. The visual experience delivered is more powerful than words can describe. Viewed from above, the roof garden entices with its amazing geometry, green distribution, and carefully placed elements. Elements of taste blended within the green The wood path is one of the elements that draws attention, with its forms that are curved and full of grace. Stretching over the entire roof, it sometimes comes to a stop, only to provide wonderful seating opportunities to people coming to enjoy the scenery. Corten steel has been chosen for the planters, with the red shade contrasting beautifully with the chosen greenery. Large circles of stonework have been placed between the other elements, reminiscent of the materials that were actually used for the landscape outside the mall. The alternation between stone and sedum ribbons creates a refreshing pattern, blending perfectly with the graceful wood path and the Corten steel planters. The stepping platforms that are found at the roof deck’s end allow residents to take the concept of walking to a whole new level. The whole picture is made even more beautiful with the appearance of the crushed glass fountains along the walkway. Practice your golf in a unique setting As one of the main reasons for the development of Nouvelle at Natick was recreation, it should come as no surprise that two large circles have been created to be used as putting greens. The idea was to sustain active recreation in a space that has a lot of opportunities to offer. So, one can practice his or her golf skills, taking advantage of the choices presented in this unique setting. In conclusion, this urban oasis is an element of perfection. Every choice has been made with a purpose, such as the selection of trees to act as living screens and deliver protection against the wind. It is a genuine blend of landscaping and art. This is what sustainable urban living is all about, as the roof garden connects everything that is important to today’s modern world. Recommended Reading:- Urban Design by Alex Krieger
- The Urban Design Handbook: Techniques and Working Methods (Second Edition) by Urban Design Associates
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