How to set up a terrace or a garden in the city?
A true extension of your home in the heart of the city, the terrace or garden becomes a living space in its own right. Whether it is a question of rethinking these additional square meters in their entirety or of sublimating the existing one, many elements must be taken into account in order to arrange your exterior in the best conditions, and above all to make it a cocoon in its image.
Design and structure the outdoor space before starting
Designing while respecting regulations and the environment
Unlike the garden, anchored in the open ground, the urban terrace, built on a built structure, invites you to reinvent nature from above. In either case, the development is supervised and will require authorization, unless the work is minor. An example of minor work is the construction of a small single-storey terrace whose surface does not exceed 5 m².
One prior declaration, or even a building permit, are appropriate as soon as the outdoor layout takes on a certain scale and requires consultation of the local PLU :
- If you are planning to remodelr a raised or covered terrace of less than 40 m², a prior declaration will suffice. If your project exceeds this area, a building permit is mandatory.
- In a protected area, these rules are more stringent and the agreement of the Architectes des Bâtiments de France (ABF) is often mandatory.
The condominium should also be consulted as long as the layout changes the structure or results in a change in the exterior appearance of the building. For example, if you plan to carry out work involving walls, floors or watertightness, the authorization will even have to be voted on in GA.
Once legal considerations have been anticipated, comes the study of the environment in which you want to set up your terrace or urban garden.
Studying the soil is essential when setting up a garden in an urban environment, especially when planning to plant or modify its structure, by digging a pond, among other things. Poor drainage, the presence of heavy metals and the presence of pipes and cables a few meters from the surface are all elements to be identified beforehand. For this, there is nothing like the integration of draining solutions such as gravel or gutters, and a precise mapping of the surface to be developed.
Although flexible according to your desires, a city garden is no less the case a living and fragile environment. Ancient trees can thus be protected, or certain species may on the contrary be prohibited to preserve local biodiversity. Once again, various interlocutors such as the town hall's urban planning department, the Regional Directorate for the Environment, Development and Housing (DREAL) or more simply a landscape designer, will be able to provide you with valuable information on this subject.
Hanging pots and planters should be attached to the inside of railings, whether on a balcony or a terrace. This precaution helps prevent accidents caused by falling pots during severe weather or due to faulty fixings. Some condominium associations even include this requirement in their regulations — make sure to check your building’s rules.
In addition to exposure, wind resistance or even the opposite side that will determine the use you will make of your exterior, constraints such as waterproofing or the load limit are priority in your thinking. To avoid infiltration and water stagnation, a few rules must be respected. If you decide to renovate your exterior, it is best to redo the waterproofing with a special coating such as bitumen or resin. If a garden rarely has a load limit, a terrace or balcony, by their nature raised or suspended, requires compliance with allowable loads. These are generally 350 kg/m², however it is preferable to use a structural design office for a complete and reliable assessment of your project and thus minimize risks. Encourage the natural flow of water by raising the planters and making sure that the outdoor space is slight slope to evacuations is strongly recommended as part of the development of an exterior.
Reinventing space according to the environment and structuring outdoor spaces
Setting up an outdoor space may require the expertise of a landscape designer, which will determine the nature of the soils and advise on the optimization of a sometimes restricted area, where every square meter is precious. Indeed, the layout will not be the same if it is an open ground garden, a wooden roof terrace or a long balcony, and even small defects can easily be transformed into an asset. A secluded and shaded garden is transformed into an oasis of freshness, a narrow terrace into an ultra-optimized modular reading space.
The creation of this additional living space must be in harmony with your tastes and your lifestyle. Fans of long meals with friends will certainly favor a large space of conviviality, while gardening lovers will multiply containers and planters.
At Maison Kyka, we regularly collaborate with landscape gardeners. Sauvaje, specialists in the development of outdoor spaces. In addition to their expertise in the design and creation of landscape gardens, ranging from earthworks to horticulture to lighting, these living gardeners defend an ethical and sustainable vision of their profession. Enough to plan ahead with complete peace of mind.
Reinventing an exterior also means bringing it to life structure and volume, playing subtly with the materials available, the different levels and the vegetation. Thus, a grass lawn can be structured by natural stone slabs, the high wall of an interior courtyard accommodate climbing plants and lighting fixtures. It's all a question of balance and imagination, so that this newly created space becomes a source of well-being in the heart of the city.
“I was supported by Maison Kyka in the realization of my project and I am very satisfied with the result! All the teams listened to me and fully understood my expectations.” Olivier Dhalluin
Create an urban, comfortable and sustainable bubble of greenery
Select quality materials that will last
Designing a cozy terrace or garden requires attention to the smallest details, starting with the choice of materials. No more cold and too mineral exteriors: we now favor a living and authentic spirit, with raw materials such as wood, stone or concrete. They provide relief, texture, and blend perfectly with lush vegetation or artificial turf. When choosing materials, think carefully the vagaries of the weather to which they will be subject and aesthetic coherence with the rest of the building. The neutral gray of zinc, in addition to recalling Parisian roofs, will perfectly highlight the green of the plants on a city balcony.
Vegetate and ensure the proper planning of plants
The main advantage of an outdoor space is the possibility of vegetate and thus create a green environment. Enough to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of the city and reconnect with nature, summer and winter. To do this, use a varied plant palette, alternating between spring and summer blossoms, autumn foliage and winter berries. All while using plants that support well. urban pollution, like skimmia or charcoal. Climbing plants will also be essential if you want to create a green wall or a hanging planter. In this case, think of Virginia creeper and jasmine, which will add charm to any terrace. Finally, the harmonious addition of plants in pots is the ideal solution for structuring small areas and giving volume to your exterior.
Even in the city, it’s possible to grow a small vegetable garden. Go for raised beds to grow cherry tomatoes, strawberries, and aromatic herbs.
Protect yourself from noise pollution and lack of privacy
There are a thousand and one ways to overcome noise pollution and the overlook, which remain the main disadvantages of living in the city. Wooden protective screens such as screens or canisses will isolate the space while creating a warm atmosphere, while a green pergola will not only cut you off from street noise but also protect you from the sun.
Exterior decoration: extending the interior onto the terrace
Once the work and the layout of the space are complete, it's time for the ornamentation. It is she who will make your exterior an extension of the interior, and will transform the terrace or the garden into a new place to live. So it's time to let your imagination run wild, drawing inspiration from a variety of styles.
Here are some tracks distilled by the Maison Kyka studio:
- For a zen and refined atmosphere, opt for light fabrics and bamboo furniture, which is making a comeback in the inspirational notebooks of architects.
- If you want to bring a touch of exoticism to your winter garden-style exterior, think of the sublime Saint-James hotel decorated by Laura Gonzalez.
- Timeless and above all resistant to the test of time, Fermob Luxembourg chairs add the perfect touch of color and blend perfectly with a folding bistro table, a major asset for small urban spaces.
In order to enjoy its city garden day and night, the addition of adapted luminaries is necessary. A string of lights reinforces the intimate and warm side of your exterior, but for a more designer and contemporary touch, consider hanging garden-style wall lamps. Thus illuminated, terrace and city garden are ready to welcome your future moments of conviviality, and why not enhance tableware specially designed for outdoor use.
Whatever the atmosphere chosen, do not forget to adapt the furniture and decorative elements to the outside: rugs and cushions must be resistant to UV and water, otherwise they will not last over time.
Vary the styles of containers and pots for plants
As the vegetation chosen is an integral part of the decoration, we advise you to carefully select the containers and pots that will accommodate them. To give contrast to your city garden, do not hesitate to vary the sizes containers and to play with verticality by mixing hanging pots and floor pots. Alternating between contemporary dark-metal planters and colored glazed terracotta Anduze vases will add the finishing touch to an elegant and lively exterior, where each plant becomes a decorative element.
Designing a terrace or a garden in the city means creating a living space in its own right. Between technical requirements, regulatory framework and aesthetic choices, every detail counts in creating a sustainable, harmonious exterior that reflects your image.
Do you have a renovation project that includes the development of an outdoor space? Call on the expertise of Maison Kyka to make it a reality and shape an exceptional property.