London
The Roof Gardens stand as one of London’s most extraordinary landscapes. Originally conceived by Ralph Hancock in the late 1930s, the Grade II-listed gardens remain a pioneering example of rooftop landscape design, combining formal gardens, woodland planting and horticultural innovation high above Kensington High Street, with three central themes – Spanish, Tudor, and English woodland.
RSL’s association with The Roof Gardens spans almost four decades, contributing to their care, restoration and continued evolution. This long-standing relationship has provided an intimate understanding of the site’s historic significance, its complex rooftop environment and the horticultural expertise required to sustain such a unique landscape.
For the most recent restoration, RSL was appointed following the initial concept design stage to undertake the design development and realisation of the landscape. Working through the detailed design, planting and construction phases, our in-house landscape architects, horticultural specialists and construction teams collaborated, coordinating every stage of implementation with meticulous attention to detail, to refine the proposals and resolve the technical challenges inherent in restoring a historic garden above the city.
The planting design evolved throughout the project in response to the existing landscape, structural constraints and the practical considerations of establishing a resilient, long-term garden. Every tree, shrub and perennial was carefully considered, set out and coordinated by our team, ensuring the distinct character of each of Hancock’s garden themes was strengthened while creating a landscape capable of flourishing for generations to come. The result is a landscape that respects its remarkable heritage while embracing the demands of contemporary use.
The Roof Gardens exemplify the importance of design development in the delivery of exceptional landscapes. From concept to completion, successful projects evolve through collaboration, technical expertise and careful craftsmanship. RSL is proud to have played a central role in bringing this iconic landscape to life and in helping shape the gardens experienced by visitors today.