Vertical Horizon Cafe, Hong Kong

Inspired by the dramatic perspectives in Romain Jacquet-Lagrèze's “Vertical Horizons” photography series which captures the dramatic views skyward between Hong Kong's densely packed tower blocks, and informed by my years living in Hong Kong, this project explores how the experience of dense urban architecture can be translated into landscape.

The brief was to create a courtyard garden café for an office tower: a space that felt beautiful, useful and restorative while encouraging people to linger, meet and relax. Rather than treating the surrounding city as something to escape from, the design embraces urban life, finding beauty in the relationship between architecture, sky and landscape.

A cruciform reflecting pool forms the heart of the garden, drawing the sky down to ground level and creating a powerful focal point. Layered terraces, sculptural concrete planters and lush architectural planting provide spaces for conversation, informal working and quiet reflection, balancing hard urban structure with natural vitality.