Little Britain Penthouse

CHALLENGE

Our client in Farringdon faced two distinct problems that were significantly impacting their enjoyment of their beautiful terrace space. The first issue was highly visible and rather unsightly, very large air-conditioning units housed in metal containers that dominated the view and created an industrial eyesore in what should have been a relaxing outdoor environment.

The second challenge was a privacy concern that made outdoor dining uncomfortable. The terrace faced directly onto apartment buildings opposite, meaning when they sat down for meals outside, they were looking straight into their neighbors' windows. This lack of privacy made the space feel exposed and awkward, preventing them from truly relaxing and enjoying their outdoor area. Both problems needed solutions that would enhance rather than compromise the terrace's functionality and aesthetic appeal. They wanted to create a proper garden feel for the terrace while addressing these practical concerns, disguising the air-conditioning units without completely blocking necessary airflow, and creating privacy screening that felt natural rather than like an obvious barrier.

During our site visit, we spent time discussing various planting possibilities and took detailed measurements to understand exactly what we could achieve in the space. We developed a much more varied planting scheme than our usual approach, deliberately mixing tall statement plants with shorter stems, trailing varieties, palms, and grasses to create beds that were wonderfully full and abundant.

OUR APPROACH

The mixed approach created lots of visual interest through undulation, texture, color, and varied shapes. For the air-conditioning units, we positioned the planting strategically so the units weren't completely covered, they still functioned perfectly but were now integrated into what looked like a beautiful garden feature rather than an industrial necessity.

RESULTS

The transformation was remarkable. The air-conditioning units completely disappeared into the lush garden landscape, while the privacy screening worked perfectly, when seated at their outdoor dining table, our client could no longer see the apartment block opposite. Both solutions exceeded their expectations, creating a beautiful, private garden terrace that felt like a true outdoor sanctuary in the heart of the city.

LETS
WORK
TOGETHER

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