More than just a pretty space

Sustainable rooftop garden designed for multiple uses

Nestled in the vibrant Kreuzberg district, a striking new office complex emerged between restored industrial buildings, designed by Thomas Hillig Architects and developed by GSG. The project called for designing five interior courtyards and a rooftop terrace – a task that pushed landscape architects hochC to think creatively. Their challenge: transform the courtyards, affectionately called the Prinzessinnenhöfe, along with an existing terrace into a lush rooftop garden spanning just 190 m². The vision demanded not only beautiful planting but also generous gathering spaces where employees could take a quiet lunch break, work outdoors, or host office celebrations. The city planning office mandated an extensive green roof with a biotope area factor of 0.50 – a target hochC not only met but exceeded. By cleverly integrating walkable grating systems, the team achieved something tricky: maximum greenery without sacrificing usability.The design unfolds across three distinct zones. First, the paved surfaces: bordered on two sides by striking orange-red walls that echo through the plant palette, the terrace features high-quality beige-grey stone slabs. Rather than specifying furniture, hochC left the space open and flexible – a strategy that invites users to define how they use it, whether for lunch, events, or informal gatherings. The second zone showcases the garden's green heart: raised beds in varying sizes, framed in hot-dip galvanised steel. At the centre sits the largest bed, planted with multi-stemmed cinnamon trees surrounded by ornamental grasses and perennials. Overhead, recessed wall lights and pendant lights suspended on steel cables create an inviting ambiance. The third element – galvanised grating walkways – ties everything together. Cleverly detailed with fine mesh where foot traffic occurs and larger openings where plants can grow through, these paths add a raw, industrial edge that contrasts beautifully with the lush plantings and driftwood benches. The result is an intentionally rough, urban aesthetic that plays with contrasts while remaining utterly functional. The grating panels are removable, making plant maintenance straightforward.

www.hochc.de