Garden concepts can serve many different purposes. Like the ecologically sound floating greenhouses in Belgrade, they can be methods for teaching sustainable food production in urban spaces. Or, like Penda's winding pathway park in China, they can be tranquil spaces of reflection. They can even simply be something to add a little pizzazz to an otherwise empty area, as with the 'Plant-a-Bar' concept in Vermont. In any case though, these garden concepts encourage a better appreciation for nature, especially in urban spaces.
Whether in public parks or in private yards, gardens have long been associated with human cultivation of natural beauty. The onset of the modern metropolis during the Industrial Revolution called for a shift towards concrete and glass and away from green spaces. Cities are beginning to recognize the fault in that urban planning idea today, and so there is more room than ever for the merger of urban construction with urban gardening.
24 Urban Garden Concepts
24
Self-Powered Trolleybus Gardens
This Piezoelectric Architecture Merges Design & Sustainability
23
Garden-Topped Houses
This Concept House Features a Rooftop Vegetable Garden and Solar Heating
22
Pop-Up Garden Oases
This Empty Storefront Was Transformed into a Tranquil Temporary Venue
21
Food-Growing Towers
The Hyperions Project Would See a Sustainable Food System Grow on Dwellings
20
Relaxing Garden Getaways
This Backyard Hideaway Was Designed to Get Away from the Busy City
19
Garden-Embedded Exterior Bars
'Plant-a-Bar' Outdoor Bars Create a Garden Space at Drink Level
18
Urban Surf Parks
The URBNSURF Wave Pool Offers Public Surfing With a Simulated Beach
17
Slanted Garden Roofs
OYO Architects Creates a Modern Green Belgium House
16
Landscaped Rooftop Terraces
The Shenye TaiRan Building Boasts Stunning "Secret" Gardens
15
Eco-Friendly Floating Greenhouses
The Eco Barge Cruises the Danube in a Sustainable Fashion
14
Multi-Sensory Garden Pop-Ups
This Pop-Up Garden in London is a Sophisticated Play Structure
13
Ecological Library Rooftops
Vancouver Central Library's Top Floor Will be a Green Space Community
12
River-Inspired Landscapes
This Winding Pathway is Meant to Be a Reminder for Preserving Water
11
Hexagonal Urban Gardens
This City Garden is Interactive and Incorporates Different Designs
10
Climate Change Greenery Projects
This Initiative Uses Plants to Combat Rising Temperatures
9
Botanical Train Stations
The Kaohsiung Train Station in Taiwan is Covered by a Lush Garden
8
Bullpen Produce Gardens
The San Diego Padres' Pepper Garden Grows Ingredients for Ballpark Dishes
7
Eco Tower Architecture
This Urban Garden Structure Features Layered Green Spaces
6
Ballpark Rooftop Gardens
'Fenway Farms' is Built on the Roof of Boston's Historic Fenway Park
5
Sustainable Park Concepts
This Environmentally Friendly Park Will Be in Downtown Los Angeles
4
Spiraled Pop-Up Greenhouses
The Horti Hood Provides a Temporary Hothouse For Maximum Plant Growth
3
Urban Communal Gardens
This Urban Garden Design Uses Indian Water Mazes as Its Inspiration
2
Guerrilla Garden Installations
With Local Gardeners, Strongbow Created a Green Space in the City
1
Garden-Topped Residential Towers
The Sky Habitat Development Features Beautiful Sky Gardens
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Prefabricated Eco-Homes
Deltec Offers Affordable Houses Made from Sustainable Materials
Repurposed Container Homes
The RDP House is Built Using Recycled Shipping Containers and Glass
Minimalist Urban Cabins
This Cabin Scraps Fairy Tales for a More Modern Look
Cantilevered Cocktail Bars
The Bire Bitroir Offers Unparalleled Views with its Cliffside Location
Self-Powered Trolleybus Gardens
This Piezoelectric Architecture Merges Design & Sustainability
Stilted Solar Homes
The Sustainable ZED Pods Can Be Installed in Parking Lots
Eco-Friendly Refugee Housing
The 'Hex House' is Designed to be Sustainable and Low-Cost
Garden-Topped Houses
This Concept House Features a Rooftop Vegetable Garden and Solar Heating
Brutalist Architecture Photography
These Images Show Concrete Architecture From Around the World
Small Sustainable Homes
Casa Nirau by Paul Cremoux Studio is Stylish and Airy
Terraced Single-Storey Homes
This Home is Located in the Middle of an Artificial Oasis
IoT Hydroponic Systems
'Gro.io' is a Fully Automated Hydroponic Garden System
Architecture-Preserving Offices
This Black and Yellow Office Space Prioritizes Collectivity
Outdoor Privacy Screen Gardens
The Privacy Planter Uses Plants as a Way to Provide Separation
Redesigned LEGO Headquarters
LEGO Turns Its Headquarters into a Small Building Block City
Liveable Cardboard Abodes
The Wikkelhouse is a Sustainable House Made From Recycled Paper
Pop-Up Garden Oases
This Empty Storefront Was Transformed into a Tranquil Temporary Venue
Energy-Generating Rooftop Gardens
This Urban Garden Promotes an Eco-Friendly Lifestyle
Modular Mobile Homes
The Alpod's Aluminum Structure Makes it Lightweight and Eco-Friendly
Single Sheet Stools
This Wooden Seat Design is Made Using One Sheet of Folded Plywood
Bamboo Forest Pavilions
This Handmade Pavilion Was Made from a Species of Bamboo from Vietnam
Otherworldly Bonsai Sculptures
This Bonsai Art Series Imagines Alien-Like Species and Planters
Micro-Space Abodes
These Madrid Homes by Abiboo Architecture Offer Secluded Balcony Areas
Deceptive Pre-Fab Homes
This Tiny Farmhouse Sits on a Near-Invisible Base
Artistic Water Bars
Sydney's Latest Beverage Pop-Up Features a Vast H20 Offering
Aquarium Fern Cubes
Haruka Misawa's Fish Tank Features Plants Growing Inside a Circular Dome
Contemporary Brazilian Mansions
Seferin Arquitetura's Latest Project Boasts Modern Design Details
Upscale Modular Burger Bars
The New York City Uncle Sam's Burgers Opts for a Sophisticated Look
Sinking Split-Level Homes
This House in Belgium is Designed by OYO's Architecture Team
Rooftop Spirulina Farms
This Startup is Growing Edible Algae on Top of a Bangkok Hotel
Macho Beer Bars
This Craft Beer Marketing Stunt in Japan Uses Burly Men to Appeal to Women
Parisian Ice Cream Bars
This Bangkok Dessert Bar is Inspired by the Molecular Makeup of Sugar
Vertical Hydroponic Gardens
This Urban Farming System Can Be Installed on Any Unused Wall Space
Minimalist Mountain Shelving
Etsy's Bourbon Moth Shop Specializes in Handcrafted Storage Units
Weather-Reporting Footwear
This DIY Project Turns Your Converse Shoes Into Weather Reporters
Parallel Construction Concepts
The Parallel Construction of This Home Gives It a Distinct Look
Windowless Japanese Microhomes
This Mountain-Like Home is Illuminated by Multiple Skylights
Farmhouse-Inspired Cafes
This New Starbucks Location in Bangkok is Modern Yet Rustically Inspired
Urban Surfer Apparel
The Latest Ricardo Andrez Collection Highlights Printed Sportswear
Airplane Rooftop Farms
'JetBlue' Now Grows the Blue Potatoes That it Uses for Its Chips at JFK
Twisting Residential Towers
The Grove At Grand Bay Residences Feature Top-Notch Luxury Amenities
Futuristic Spherical Skyscrapers
Project ZERO Maximizes Living Space with a Sphere-Like Shape
Japanese Surf Apparel
Vans Has Teamed Up with Yusuke Hanai for a Surf-Inspired Collection
Local Food Waste Eateries
Tiny Leaf London Makes Its Dishes from Local Leftovers in Notting Hill
Fururistic Windmill Buildings
The Dutch Wind Wheel Aims to Encourage Eco Buildings in Rotterdam
Garden-Covered Homes
A D Lab Created a House That Integrates Indoor and Outdoor Spaces Beautifully
Energy-Passive Houses
The Energy House is the World's First 'Passive House Premium' Building
Open-Air Offices
The 'Offices With Terraces' Structure Will Embrace Natural Light and Fresh Air
Playground Fashion Ads
The Orla Kiely Spring/Summer Campaign Stars Model Lou Schoof
Connected Illuminating Sustainable Tables
The 'Cap' Coffee Table is Crafted from Cardboard
Cleverly Draped Architecture
DUS Architects' EU Building Boasts Covered Built-In Outdoor Seating
Rooftop Ski Slopes
This Urban Ski Resort is Situated on Top of a Residential Apartment Building
Architectural Nesting Blocks
These Nesting Toys are Based on the Russian Matryoshka
Eco-Friendly Floating Greenhouses
The Eco Barge Cruises the Danube in a Sustainable Fashion
Origami-Inspired Home Extensions
The 'G3 House' Draws Inspiration from the Art of Origami
Chic Cork Residences
This Cork Apartment in Prague Marries Elegant and Eco-Friendly Elements
Aggressive Cider Branding
The 'Angry Orchard' Hard Cider Line Boasts Imaginative Names
Suspended Floral Gardens
Rebecca Louise Law's Bikini Berlin Installation is Striking and Sensory
Secluded Seaside Homes
Patterson Associates Designs a Luxury House for the Tasteful Hermit
Multi-Sensory Garden Pop-Ups
This Pop-Up Garden in London is a Sophisticated Play Structure
Floating Forest Initiatives
Rotterdam Will Install a "Bobbing Forest" in 2016 for a Greener City
Luxury Lagoon Homes
This Sustainable Lagoon House Implements Amazing Architecture
Moving Clothing Displays
The Descente Blanc Store in Fukuoka Features a Suspended Mobile Racks
Fairy Tale Museums
Denmark is Creating a Stunning Tribute to the Work of Hans Christian Andersen
Floating Urban Forests
'Swale' is a Floating Barge Topped with an Edible Forest Garden
Projecting Home Facades
This Modern Hollywood Home Features an Outdoor Wall for Screening Films
Modern Grass-Growing Abodes
This Green Residence is Designed to Promote Tranquility
Suspended Garden Installations
Karolina Maszkiewicz Encourages Guests to Enjoy Nature Artistically
Flood-Fighting Urban Concepts
The Next Tokyo Concept Includes a Hyperloop & a Mile-High Skyscraper
Glimmering Retail Shopping Centers
The Chongwenmen M-Cube Retail Complex will Open This Summer
Flexible Metal Fabrics
GKD Metal Fabrics Brings an Oxymoron to Architecture
Imagination-Stimulating Libraries
The Children's Library of Thomas's London Day School is Creative
Poignant Glacier Viewing Centers
Visitors can See Climate Change in Action at the Icefjord Center
Pop-Up Cubic Libraries
The Mobile Library Project Makes Reading More Accessible in Seoul
Geologically Inspired Sculptures
These Man-Made Sculptures Look Like Natural Additions to the Land
Kaleidoscopic Hotel Designs
Artist Daniel Buren Applies His Bright Designs to a Hotel in Paris
High-End Cider Collections
The 'Cidrerie Stassen' Line Caters to Discerning Cider Drinkers
Secluded Terrace Homes
The Kuwait House by AGi Architects Offer Four Private Patios for Guests
Gin Garden Experiences
The MCA's Archie Rose Pop-Up Serves Up Handcrafted Cocktails
Inflatable Bubble Pavilions
The 'SKUM' Design Sculpture Recreates Foam for the Roskilde Festible
Cider Delivery Drones
This Cider Producer is Designing a Drone That is Shaped Like a Flying Pig
Luxury Vehicle Garden Pop-Ups
Lexus Recently Partnered with Harvey Nichols for a Garden Pop-Up
Bamboo Hexagonal Structures
This Rice Field Landmark is Made to Note the Importance of Agriculture
Waterproof Cargo Mounts
The Otium Softrack has a Plush Design for Holding Sporting Equipment
Integrated Tower Developments
The Toronamon Hills Will Include a New Subway Station and Park
Sleek Surfboard Sidecars
Peter Adams Redesigns the Ural Motorcycle Sidecar to Carry His Water Gear
Nature-Surrounded Residences
These Apartments are Meant to Blend in with Hangzhou's Landscape
Ecological Seaweed Packaging
The Agar Plasticity Uses Algae to Create Biodegradable Wrapping
Celebratory Seafood Menus
The Lobsterfest 2016 Menu Includes Three Delicious New Dishes
Eco Submarine Architecture
This Underwater City Would Be 3D Printed Using Found Ocean Garbage
Contemporary Park Pavilions
These Unique Structures Will Soon Be Fixtures in Hyde Park
Clinical Plant-Based Juice Bars
The Lebeleicht Store in Hamburg is a Minimalist Health Food Shop
Net-Zero Energy Schools
This New York City School Produces as Much Electricity as It Uses
Creativity-Encouraging Clubs
The Fangirls Fan Club for Teens Includes Making Art and Socializing
Dart-Shaped Towers
This Observation Tower Will Be Inspired By Traditional Islamic Architecture
Spiraled Pop-Up Greenhouses
The Horti Hood Provides a Temporary Hothouse For Maximum Plant Growth
UV Protection Playpens
The Graco 'Pack 'n Play Sport' Baby Playpen Offers a Safe Place to Play
Surfing-Inspired Crossovers
The New Citroen Crossover Was Co-Designed By a Surfing Company
Portable Street Parkettes
WMB Studio Adds Greenery to London With Modular Outdoor Design
Sustainable Supertall Skyscrapers
The Wuhan Greenland Center EmbracesWater Conservation Measures
Solar Car-Sharing Projects
This Car-Sharing Program Brings Solar-Powered Vehicles to Tennessee
Portable Wind Tunnels
Ford is Conducting Its Wind Tunnel Tests in Mobile Shipping Container Units
Mixed-Use Sustainable Skyscrapers
This Skyscraper Design by Zaha Hadid Would Rise in Melbourne
Multifaceted Wireless Peripherals
The Gestor Air Mouse Operates as a Peripheral and TV Scroller
Urban Communal Gardens
This Urban Garden Design Uses Indian Water Mazes as Its Inspiration
Grandiose Outdoor Desk Lamps
The Anglepoise Table Lights are Super Sized for Outside Decor Usage
Giant Floating Wind Farms
Hywind Park in Scotland Will Boast Five Six-megawatt Turbines
Intuitive Music Streaming Devices
The Prizm Music Player Will Be Unveiled at CES 2016
Gravity-Powered Hydroelectric Plants
The Linthal Hydropower Plant Runs on the Power of Gravity
Maze-Like Resting Areas
This Zigzagging Building Provides a Sleeping Area for Pilgrimages
Guerrilla Garden Installations
With Local Gardeners, Strongbow Created a Green Space in the City
Personalized Era Experiences
The Grand Paradise Offers an Immersive Visit to the 70s
Superfood Tonic Bars
Lifehouse Tonics Specializes in Producing Life-Enhancing Beverages
Earth Day Walking Tours
This Walking Tour Takes Participants to Green Sites Across New York City
Boozy Fast Food Tacos
The New Beer Battered Shrimp Taco from Del Taco Gives Seafood an Upgrade
Iced Apple Cider Drinks
The Coffee Shop is Now Selling an Iced Version of a Beloved Fall Beverage
Ethically Made Laptop Stands
Nataneal Gama Plants One Tree for Every Sled Stand Sold
Floating Weather Stations
The Flood House is Desgined to Track Tide Changes in the River Thames
Next Generation Electric Cars
The Tesla Model S for Kids is Designed for Young Car Fans
Cartoon Cat Airport Cafes
The Hello Kitty Orchid Garden is at the Changi Airport in Singapore
Mirrored City Park Concepts
Two Designers Imagine a Way to Extend New York's Central Park
Urban Library Scavenger Hunts
The Toronto Library Passport Encourages Free Reading in the City
Towering Wood Buildings
The Tall Wood Building Will Be Home to University Students
Ecological Solar Skyscrapers
The Triptyque Redesign Opts for Solar Panels and Water Filteration
All-Inclusive BBQ Apps
The Pit Pal Manages Food Prep and Keeps a Recipe Log
Tube-Shaped Theater Buildings
Fuksas Created an Unconventional and Futuristic Exhibition Space
Edible Galactic Plants
These Martian Soil Vegetables are Deemed Safe to Eat
Japanese Luxury Designer Tours
This Louis Vuitton Tokyo Tour Pays Tribute to its Influences
Earthy Apple Ciders
This Sonoma Cider Collection is Named After Ordinary Farm Tools
Pear-Flavored Ciders
This Naturally Sweet Cider is Made with Real Pears
Smoky Maple Ciders
This Woodchuck Hard Cider is Named After 'Campfire Pancakes'
Glazed Luxury Skyscrapers
The One Thousand Museum Tower is Designed By Zaha Hadid
Grilling Recipe Apps
Grill-it! Inspires Foodies with a Library of Categorized Meal Ideas
Virtual Content Players
The New Sketchfab VR Player Enables Users to Experience Immersive Content
Citrus Shandy Ciders
'Lazy Hazy Lemon Crazy' Boasts an Experimental Shandy-Cider Flavor