# Concrete Garden Sanctuaries The Marseille Townhouse Offers an Urban Oasis By Vasiliki Marapas | Published 2014-05-20 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/marseille-townhouse References: [dezeen](http://www.dezeen.com/2014/05/20/inhabited-garden-room-marseille-marion-bernard-agency/) & [marionbernard](http://www.marionbernard.com/) The Marion Bernard Agency is responsible for creating a 120-square-meter concrete oasis at the rear of the Marseille Townhouse, an old residence that is surrounded by neighboring gardens. The structure, which the architects have named the 'Inhabited Garden,' features a [concrete canopy](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/anchor-house) with large openings, offering both sunlight and privacy. The canopy has been perforated in four places, which allows for a swimming pool, outdoor dining and two patches for planting. The architects explain their vision by saying, "We wanted to treat the [garden as a room](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/he-winter-garden). How can this garden work in both summer and winter, and what are the uses that might make us think of a house rather than a garden? Our first thoughts were to find new ways of living in a garden." ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.1/10 - Popularity: 19% | Activity: 7% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Concrete Garden Spaces:** Create unique outdoor spaces that incorporate concrete structures for a modern and functional garden oasis. - **Innovative Canopy Designs:** Develop canopies with perforations and large openings to provide sunlight, privacy, and multi-functional spaces for activities like swimming, dining, and planting. - **Year-round Garden Living:** Explore ways to design gardens that can be enjoyed throughout the year, blurring the boundary between indoor and outdoor spaces. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Architecture and Design:** Architects and designers can create unique concrete garden spaces and innovative canopy designs to enhance residential and commercial properties. - **Landscaping and Outdoor Living:** Landscapers and outdoor living specialists can help homeowners transform their outdoor spaces into functional and visually appealing concrete garden sanctuaries. - **Pool and Spa Industry:** The pool and spa industry can explore the incorporation of concrete structures and innovative canopy designs to elevate the outdoor experience for their customers. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Concrete Gridded Garden Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rua-polnia-house.md) - [Garden-Focused Victorian Terrace House](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/helvetia.md) - [Living Landscape Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hedge-and-arbour-house.md) - [Light-Filled City Center Gardens](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/secret-garden-2.md) - [Hidden Urban Oasis Cottages](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/quarry-house.md) - [Tranquil Courtyard Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sanctum-house.md) - [Raw Concrete Industrial Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/house-in-nishizaki.md) - [Garden-Surrounded Pool House](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/geometric-pool-house.md) - [Hillside Concrete Retreats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/concrete-house-1.md)