A living and breathing green roof

Green roofs, green dreams: how we planted the sky at Villa K7

Why plant a roof ?

Green roofs are more than just a trend; they are a commitment to sustainability and harmony with the environment. But for us, it was also about aesthetics and integration into the nature. We wanted the house to blend seamlessly into the Andalusian landscape, to appear as though it had always been part of the hillside.

At villa k7, we didn't just dream sustainability - we planted it, quite literally, over our heads. The structure was designed with innovation in mind by Vitae Villa: water-retaining layers to absorb rain and prevent erosion, smart drainage to avoid water disasters, a 2 m3 water tank equipped with a pump and several kilometers of irrigation pipes. This is not a green roof for show, it's one that works hard and grows wild.

Wild animals snacked on our roof garden

Six months in, we discovered that wild boars, foxes, and deer also appreciated our efforts - perhaps a bit too much. Though the textbooks say native Mediterranean plants aren't on the menu for these animals, our experience says otherwise. A hungry animal under the Andalusian summer sun doesn't care much for botanical theory. Despite all the tricks our grandmothers taught us, we lost the battle. The deer began visiting our rooftop several times a day, casually treating our rooftop like their personal seven-star buffet. So, we took action: a 2.2 kilometer Hercules fence, 2 meters high-not to block the view, but to block the bites. Since then, magic happened.

Choosing the right plants

We selected a palette of native plants known for their resilience and beauty :

• Thyme ( Thymus vulgaris): Aromatic and hardy, it thrives in shallow soils.

• Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) : its woody stems and fragrant leaves are both practical and pituresque.

• Lavender (Lavendula spp.): various species added shades of purple and attracted pollinators.

These plants were chosen not just for their beauty but for their ability to whithsand the challenging conditions of rooftop life - shallow soil, full sun, and limited water.

The result: a living, breathing roof. The transformation is remarkable. One year later, those rooftops are no longer "roofs" at all - they've become wild terraces, alive and vigorous, echoing the hills around them. We gave the house a second garden this one floating just beneath the clouds. These green roofs aren't just pretty, they're smart. Thank's to Vitae Villas' innovative design.

Stay tuned - next time we'll take you up there for a closer look. Like all good obsessions, the vegetable area deserves its own chapter.