AS ONE OF the largest rooftop gardens in the southern hemisphere, Serene Living’s rooftop garden is proving a unique asset for the over 55’s development, generating huge interest, as the first of its kind on the Gold Coast.
Paving the way for rooftop gardens across Australia, Proda’s Serene Living is the first over 55’s development on the Gold Coast to feature a rooftop garden of this scale.
The innovative rooftop garden at Serene Living will be Australia’s largest green rooftop with over a quarter of an acre of perfectly manicured, landscaped gardens.
Complete with organic vegetable gardens and blossoming trees, the spacious rooftop sanctuary features three barbeque areas, separate entertaining spaces, ample lounge chairs, comfortable seating and shaded picnic areas, complimented by the panoramic, picturesque views of the Tweed surrounds.
Green Roofs Australia President Sidonie Carpenter says rooftop gardens like the one to be developed at Serene Living, are the future for leading property developers on the Gold Coast and Australia wide.
“It is great to see green roofs being designed for specific applications and in the case of Serene Living the social and physical needs of the residents as opposed to the regular environmental design intent that is typical of green roofs,” said Mrs Carpenter.
“The commitment to designing and building a green roof to the standard seen in this development is to be congratulated.
“The social design focus for Serene Living has obviously generated a greater interest in unit sales to become the fastest selling over 55′s development in Australia. This is a credit to Proda for including a green roof, meeting the requirements for Seniors Living and providing an aesthetic and safe environment for residents.
“Where we see green roofs being removed from developments due to issues such as maintenance we see Proda install 200mm2 of turf and 1300m2 of garden, clearly with an understanding and commitment to the upkeep and vigour of the gardens while providing invaluable outdoor recreation spaces.
“I congratulate Proda and see them as leaders in the Australian Green Roof industry. It is projects like Serene Living that will support and encourage the growth of the Green Roof industry in Australia.”
Leading Landscape Architect from Planit Consulting Samantha Baird, who designed the Serene Living rooftop sanctuary, describes the garden as a secluded retreat.
“We haven’t designed for a rooftop of this scale before. Given that the majority of high rise roof top space is taken for services so the garden at Serene Living will be a unique example of how you can cleverly work around such infrastructure and achieve a modern oasis that will set the standard for future rooftop garden projects,” Ms Baird said.
“Our vision for the rooftop garden was to create a tranquil and inviting garden haven for all residents and their guests to sit back, relax and soak up the lush surrounds in style.”
The theme of the garden will centre around natural beauty highlighted by a flourishing mix of 2000 individual plants.
These will include native and non indigenous shade trees, shrubs and flowering plants to provide colour against the deep green hedges, including hibiscus, banksias, birds of paradise, magnolia little gem, blueberry ash and even olive trees.
The theme of natural beauty will be echoed through integrated metal art installations accented with scented climbing jasmine vines, which double as protective screening, transforming practical, structural features into living, growing art.
The garden will also include three integrated water features including a trickling, reflective pond to evoke a tranquil ambiance. As night approaches, metal water cut sculptures in the form of 2.4 meter tall columns, will transform and light up from within. These columns will become giant lanterns providing a soft evening glow.
Another point of difference for this garden is its unique features like the giant insitu granite chess board complete with matching chess pieces for residents to enjoy, adding character and personality to the design.
The garden will create a sub tropical sensory experience for residents with the perfect combination of flora and fauna, emulating a natural yet dreamlike environment. Nectar and pollen producing plants like bottlebrush and hibiscus will be utilised to attract a mixture of native and exotic birdlife such as rainbow lorikeets, wood doves and rose breasted cockatoos creating a relaxing and tranquil, natural environment for residents.
“This garden is designed to be a retreat for residents where they can sit back and relax in one of many reclining lounge chairs with a favorite book, play a game of cards with a friend under one of the four pergola covered retreats, or potter around in the vegetable gardens,” Ms Baird said.
The low maintenance vegetable gardens are designed for residents to tend to and will house a combination of vegetables and herb varieties from cherry tomatoes and chillies to basil, rosemary and chives, for the shared enjoyment of all residents.
Proda director Ben Fuller said the inspiration for the garden oasis was to create a place that would add joy to the residents’ daily life.
“Our rooftop garden is designed to be a sanctuary for all residents providing them with their own personal paradise, the perfect spot to entertain visitors or grandchildren and enjoy the pristine, uninterrupted views of the Tweed and its picturesque surrounds.”
“We spent a lot of time in the research and development of this garden and enlisted the help of leading Landscape Architects to ensure that our residents can enjoy the best of the best.
“We are thrilled with the response from future residents, all eager to experience the garden for themselves and exercise their green thumbs.”
The over 55’s resort-style development is set to revitalise the Tweed CBD, promoting an active and social community lifestyle for residents.
Serene Living comprises 77 spacious apartments with one plus study (which can double as a second bedroom), two and three bedroom ensuite apartments, ranging in size from 70 to 130 square metres with generous balcony spaces.
Along with the rooftop garden, the up-market project will offer more than 50 services and facilities, including a luxurious cinema, library, residents’ club car, heated pool and spa, gymnasium, games room and innovative smart home wiring technology, ensuring the safety and security of residents.
The sales office is on-site on the corner of Florence Place and Florence Street, Tweed Heads. For further information please phone 07 5599 3328 or visit www.sereneliving.com.au .