The roofs of skyscrapers are becoming gardens for herbs, spaces for birthday parties or even a place for literary evenings and other cultural events. The newly-formed spaces are principally spaces for a new form of coexistence for all the residents of the tower blocks, although at specific times they will also open to the interested public in order to enable a completely new view of their city – a view of the city from amongst the clouds.
Are green gardens on residential tower blocks in Rijeka possible? Of course they are, and the pilot programmes of regreening are already in progress at Rastočine. Namely, with the mapping of Rijeka’s architecture, the numerous residential towers have been recognised as a characteristic element of urbanity.
The work on the project began with the interviewing of the residents and resulted in the necessary knowledge of their needs and wishes. Programme concepts were then designed by direct collaboration with the tenants and the previously inaccessible and unused roofs of the tower blocks are being transformed into a gathering place for tenants, as well as their acquaintances, neighbours and friends. The roofs of the skyscrapers are becoming gardens for herbs, spaces for the birthday parties of children and adults or even a place for literary evenings and other cultural events. These spaces are principally spaces for a new form of coexistence for all the residents of the tower blocks, although at specific times they will also open to the interested public in order to enable a completely new view of their city – a view of the city from amongst the clouds.
A guided tour for the interested public is organised by the Youth Section of DAR (architects association) of Rijeka, according to the concept of the designers Martina Mataija (HR), Ana Orlić (HR), Damian Sobol Turina (HR), Mirta Stipeč (HR), Ariana Sušanj (HR), Maria Ljuština (HR), Mate Rupac (HR) and Katarina Šantić (HR). Similarly, it is also possible to arrange small events on the terraces and individual visits which can be arranged by contacting the tenants’ representative.
