Rooftop Terrace Design · Florence
From Oltrarno to Fiesole
Berlin-based manufactory delivering rooftop terrace concepts to Florence's most discerning Renaissance palazzi and Tuscan hillside villas, with plant design, outdoor kitchens and wellness architecture under one curatorial hand.
Why Florence is different
Renaissance light, Soprintendenza rigour, and the slow rhythm of Tuscany
Florence is the cradle of the Renaissance giardino and one of the most heavily protected heritage cities in the world. The UNESCO Historic Centre, the Soprintendenza Archeologia Belle Arti e Paesaggio, and the giardino-all'italiana tradition set the design baseline. Climate is humid subtropical with hot dry summers, mild humid winters and intense Tuscan light through October. Tramontana and libeccio winds shape exposure across Bellosguardo and Fiesole hillsides.
We work in this tension daily: with Italian-licensed architects and structural engineers, with Soprintendenza-experienced heritage consultants, and with the lifestyle expectations of Florence clients between Oltrarno palazzi, San Niccolò Lungarno terraces, Bellosguardo and Fiesole hillside villas. Our role is the plant and outdoor lifestyle layer – ecological substrate, Tuscan-Mediterranean curation, and the wellness elements (loggia, outdoor kitchen, dining terrace) that turn a Florence rooftop into a year-round sanctuary.
Our Florence approach
Curated plants, ecological substrate, lifestyle integration
- Symbiosis methodology – mycorrhizal partnerships, effective microorganisms and humus building replace chemical fertilisation under Tuscan summer drought and winter humidity.
- Tuscan-Mediterranean palette – structural specimens (cypress, olive, lemon in terracotta), Mediterranean evergreens (lavender, rosemary, myrtle, santolina), flowering accents (oleander, plumbago, jasmine, wisteria), kitchen-garden plants.
- Wellness architecture – loggia, dining terrace, outdoor kitchen and pergola integration with Arno or Fiesole hillside framing.
- Heritage-aware execution – Italian-licensed architects and structural engineers, Soprintendenza consultation, SCIA/CILA permitting, restoration-grade detailing for palazzo rooftops.
Areas we serve
Across central Florence and the surrounding Tuscan hills
Most of our Florence work is concentrated in Oltrarno palazzi, Lungarno terraces, Bellosguardo and Fiesole hillside villas. We also handle select boutique hospitality projects across Tuscany.
How a Florence project unfolds
From first conversation to handover
- 01
Understanding before drawing
Site visit (or detailed remote survey for first conversations from Berlin), discussion of the people and rhythm using the terrace, early constraint mapping (Soprintendenza, structure, summer drought).
- 02
Concept and curation
A small set of plant compositions, material moodboards, wellness element placement. Always optionality.
- 03
Engineering and approvals
Load calculations with Italian-licensed structural engineer, Soprintendenza heritage consent for palazzo rooftops, SCIA/CILA through the Comune di Firenze.
- 04
Installation and handover
Our team installs on site over one to several weeks. Plants are sourced from Italian and Tuscan nurseries and pre-conditioned for the Florentine climate. After handover we offer ongoing care subscriptions following the same symbiosis methodology.
Frequently asked
What clients usually want to know first
- Do you work on rooftop terrace projects in Florence?
- Yes. Most of our Florence work is Oltrarno palazzo rooftops, San Niccolò and Lungarno terraces, Bellosguardo and Fiesole hillside villas.
- How do you handle Soprintendenza and SCIA permitting?
- Through experienced Italian-licensed architects and Soprintendenza-trained heritage consultants. Most palazzo rooftops require both heritage consent and SCIA/CILA via the Comune di Firenze.
- How long does a typical Florence project take?
- Between four and twelve months from first conversation to handover. Larger Fiesole or Oltrarno projects often need eight to fourteen months of planning.
Start a Florence rooftop conversation
The first call is unhurried – understanding before any concept. We travel from Berlin for site visits when the project warrants it.
Get in touch