Intexure Architects Transform Parking Garage Into a Rooftop Zen Garden

While useful and efficient in packing away a lot of cars, parking garages aren't the most attractive feature adorning today's urban landscape. On top of their often unsightly appearance, these garages also soak up a lot of heat during the day contributing to urban heat island effect. But as Houston-based <a href="http://inhabitat.com/houston-architecture-office-doubles-as-beautiful-eco-home/" target="_blank">Intexure</a> will tell you, there are certainly ways to improve on their design, particularly by transforming the rooftop of each garage into a public garden space. Recently revamped, the Houston Medical Center was once dull and unattractive with a <a href="http://inhabitat.com/london-pop-up-restaurant-built-from-borrowed-materials/" target="_blank">parking garage rooftop</a>, but now finds itself hosting a tranquil oasis and meditative garden for patients and their families to find quiet respite.

The 6,000 sf Greenbriar Rooftop Garden is divided into textural zones, with each serving as a distinct outdoor area or enclosed space for group meetings or quiet contemplation.

A white tensile structure in the center with seating underneath serves as an area for gathering. Bamboo planted in a circle makes for a quiet outdoor room.

Nearby, lounge chairs set in a zen-like pebble garden offer up individual seating.

Perforated metal panels form screening elements along with fiberglass panels that illuminate as if it was a glowing Japanese lantern at night.

Plants for the garden are contained in 46" rooftop trays. The individual species were selected because of their ability to tolerate drought conditions - plants include the butterfly iris, purple foundation grass, horsetail and bermuda grass.

Besides the obvious health benefits of a garden, the green roof also reduces stormwater runoff, reduces solar heat gain, purifies the air, and provides a natural habitat and urban refuge for birds in the Texas flyway.

Patients from the hospital, their families and visitors can all relax in the rooftop garden and step away from whatever ails them inside the hospital.

Handicapped accessible ramps and walkways allow for easy navigation of the garden by all.

The drought tolerant lawn can become an impromptu yoga studio or a place to bask in the sun.

The underutilized parking garage rooftop of the Greenbriar Apartments next to the Medical Center become a peaceful retreat for patients and visitors.