Co-build Roof Garden "Green Cloud Garden" / 11architecture

Architects: 11architecture
Area: 450 m²
Year: 2021
Photographs: Siming Wu
Lead Architect: Jing Xie, Fujimori Ryo
Construction: Shenzhen Yixuan Garden Construction Design Co. Ltd.
Design Team: Minggang Luo, Pengbo Lin, Yisi Zeng
Clients (Unit of Guidance): Shenzhen Urban Administration and Law Enforcement Bureau
Clients (Organizer): Nanshan Urban Administration and Law Enforcement Bureau
City: Shenzhen
Country: China

Green Cloud Garden by 11architecture, part of the “2021 Nanshan Co-build Gardens Program,” is a 450-square-meter rooftop garden on a six-story apartment in Shenzhen. Faced with challenges of isolation, budget constraints, and the need for sunshade canopies, the project combines “green roof” and “co-build garden” concepts to promote low-carbon initiatives and community engagement. Supported by multiple organizations, including Sino-Ocean Group, Shenzhen New Energy Association, and American Polar Airlines, the garden features modular units with shaded areas, flower beds, and a community farm. It hosts various activities like rental farms, events, and community gatherings, embodying the LOHAS philosophy of sustainable urban living.

Co-build roof garden "green cloud garden" / 11architecture

This project was part of the “2021 Nanshan Co-build Gardens Program,” a collaboration between Shenzhen Green Foundation, Shekou Community Foundation, and The Nature Conservancy, led by the Nanshan Urban Management and Law Enforcement Bureau. While most gardens in the program are located at street level, this one is on the roof of a six-story apartment in an urban village. The project faced three main challenges: First, the rooftop’s separation from the urban traffic network creates a serene “oasis in the city” but limits its potential as a natural community gathering space. Second, the initial budget allowed for only a small garden of less than 150 square meters, insufficient to attract the community as an independent space. Third, the strong sunlight on the exposed roof necessitates a sunshade canopy for comfort, but obtaining permission for this structure from the urban management department was difficult. These challenges led to the exploration of how to transform the rooftop into a community space that encourages people to gather.

The collaborating organizations are guided by philosophies focused on revitalizing community activities, promoting nature education, achieving a sustainable society, and fostering coexistence with nature. As climate change poses a serious global challenge, efforts are being made worldwide to advance sustainable development. A “green roof” serves as an effective strategy to mitigate the urban heat island effect and contributes to building low-carbon cities. This project proposed a “green roof” model that is simple in design, cost-effective, aesthetically pleasing, functional, and easily replicable on other rooftops. The “co-build” aspect of the project involved not only community participation but also a progressive strategy where multiple supporting organizations jointly provided funding, materials, and sites, and participated in the operation. By integrating the concepts of “green roof” and “co-build garden,” the project addresses various practical challenges and creates a new type of rooftop space.

Given the ample roof space at Boonself Apartments, the proposal expanded to further address environmental and community concerns. Ultimately, five organizations supported the plan by providing funding, materials, and the site, resulting in the creation of a 450-square-meter roof garden that features a partially shaded event plaza, surrounding flower beds, and a community farm.

Sino-Ocean Group, a state-owned enterprise, provided the roof site of Boonself Apartment free of charge and upgraded the original outer fence to a safe height. The project budget from the “2021 Nanshan Co-build Gardens Program” covered overall painting, the frame construction of the sunshade canopy, and the development of flower beds. Shenzhen New Energy Association and its member units took on the structural design of the canopy, as well as the provision and installation of solar panels and related systems, with their investment being recouped through power generation. The inclusion of a solar energy system was a key factor in gaining approval from the urban management department, as it supported the city’s low-carbon objectives. American Polar Airlines contributed by investing in the construction of the community farm, enhancing urban environmental protection and greening efforts. 11architecture played a vital role in formulating the project strategy, designing the entire space, and advancing funds to cover some of the budget shortfalls, with a focus on making a positive societal impact.

To facilitate replication on other rooftops, the design strategy centered on a basic modular unit that can be flexibly arranged to suit varying site conditions. Each basic structural unit measures 2.1m x 2.1m x 2.7m (height), corresponding to the size of two standard solar panels on the canopy. At the center of the site, a large shading canopy of 6.3m x 10.5m is composed of 15 module units. The structural columns of this canopy support three types of activity devices: a suspended net bed using 2 module units, a 6.3m long table utilizing 3 module units, and a timber yoga deck comprising 4 module units. A slightly larger canopy, designed as a “lighthouse” at 3.3m x 3.3m x 4.0m (height), accommodates four standard solar panels on its top. When illuminated at night, this structure is visible from the surrounding area.

During the design process, a meeting with the co-build team was held to discuss the final budget, construction scale, and specific uses of the event space. Following this discussion, the size of the shading canopy was reduced, allowing for an enlarged gathering plaza. The modular unit design provided the flexibility to adapt to changing conditions. A workshop was also organized, inviting young neighbors to explore potential activity devices within the modules. The design of the flower beds and community farm incorporated the basic unit concept, using 708 standard logistics plastic boxes. Although environmentally friendly planter boxes were ideal, time and budget constraints necessitated the use of these plastic boxes due to their economical, lightweight, strong, waterproof, and durable properties. The boxes were stacked in three layers to create a terraced effect for the flower beds, and some were converted into benches with timber boards on top. To counteract any association with a logistics warehouse, the boxes were painted a light green that suited the roof garden. Plant selection and logo design emphasized softness, with plants featuring small flowers and leaves that sway in the wind, creating a gentle atmosphere for leisurely walks. The logo design incorporated soft shapes and colors to counterbalance the rigidity of the repetitive modular units throughout the site. The name “Green Cloud Garden” also emerged during this design process.

“Green Cloud Garden” serves as a public space, open to visitors during the day. After registering at the front desk, individuals can freely access the rooftop. However, it is unlikely that local residents will naturally gravitate towards the concealed rooftop garden, making it essential to create specific activities and purposes to attract visitors and foster community engagement.

The “Green Cloud Garden” features various community activities to attract and engage visitors. A rental farm allows residents to lease “private fields” of about 1㎡ with four planting boxes, managed by Boonself Apartment, which appeals to young residents, housewives, and elderly locals interested in agriculture. American Polar Airlines rented a 7-square-meter field for company activities, including seasonal seedling events and hot pot parties using the vegetables they harvest. The rooftop also serves as an event space, with a 6.3m long table and yoga deck accommodating 20 to 30 people, and larger gatherings possible when including the activity plaza. Nanshan Street Work Committee and RE-LOOK Studio will collaborate with Boonself Apartment to host community activities for young people at the venue once or twice a month. In the days leading up to the official opening of “Green Cloud Garden,” a flower planting activity was organized with volunteers and young neighbors. Shenzhen New Energy Association plans to use the site for research on “urban communities with solar energy culture.” In the early design stage, there was a plan to place a sipping container on the roof to open a community coffee shop. Although this idea was not realized, a drink vending machine could be installed instead to serve events on weekends and cater to residents and neighbors on weekdays. With 300 flats in Boonself Apartments, the rooftop garden offers a convenient spot for residents to grab a drink and unwind after work.

In a densely populated metropolis like Shenzhen, a publicly accessible rooftop space offers significant potential value. When thoughtfully designed, it can serve as an attractive venue for walking and various activities, while also fostering a sense of community. With proper management, the initial construction investment can be recouped over time. “LOHAS,” which stands for “Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability,” represents a growing urban value worldwide. In response to environmental degradation and the spread of infectious diseases, many urban residents are moving away from consumption-driven lifestyles, focusing instead on environmental protection and holistic health, both physical and mental. This shift has sparked interest in sustainable development and community activities. This project embodies a new type of community space by integrating the concepts of “Green Roof (low carbon)” and “Co-build Garden (community activities),” making it an experimental initiative.