With the help of firms such as Terrasse & Jardin de Paris, micro-gardens are redefining urban living with sustainable, space-efficient solutions that bring nature into apartment design.
As cities grow denser and urban living continues to evolve, residents are embracing innovative solutions to integrate nature into small spaces. One such solution is the micro-garden, which maximizes small spaces with options such as vertical gardening and hydroponic systems. Additionally, these mini gardens not only help purify the air but can also potentially promote local food production, reducing the need for imported produce and encouraging self-sufficiency. The increasing popularity of these gardens reflects a larger societal push toward sustainability and the need to integrate nature within the urban living space.
Exemplifying the Micro-garden with Terrasse & Jardin de Paris
Architect César Saint-Ouen founded Terrasse & Jardin de Paris in 2015 in response to the growing demand for sustainable and green spaces. The company elevates outdoor design to an art form, collaborating with residents, hotels, and restaurants to craft personalized outdoor spaces that reflect their clients’ unique styles. Their expertise is vast, spanning plant design, irrigation systems, lighting, terrace and flooring design, pergolas and home extensions, fountains, and green walls.
“In a dense urban environment like Paris, terraces and balconies are more than just outdoor spaces–they are extensions of our homes and lives,” César Saint-Ouen stated during a press event they hosted in their headquarters in Paris.
“Our goal is to transform each project into a personalized, green oasis, whether it’s a fully vegetated pergola, a terrace with a view, or a vertical garden that brings nature into the urban space,” he added.
The company attracts a diverse clientele, with 60% being private individuals. In a city like Paris, where terraces are an integral part of urban living, they stand out with their tailor-made, problem-solving approach to outdoor design. Their team of expert architects, gardeners, and plant specialists create thoughtful outdoor spaces that tell a story. Micro-gardens play a key role in this vision, turning into lush, functional extensions of the home.
Complementary High-end Brands for Micro-gardens
To complement their projects, Terrasse & Jardin de Paris often collaborates with high-end brands that align perfectly with the micro-garden concept:
Kettal
Furniture brand Kettal, known for its contemporary designs, works with the biggest names in the design scene and uses paint that is ecological and recyclable. Their new Passage collection is sophisticated, seamless and transitions easily from outdoor to indoor, or vice versa. Products in this collection include the Stackable Dining Armchair, and the Centre Table, both customizable in terms of finish (textured or glossy) and color to suit various outdoor aesthetics.
Âtman Manufacture
With a focus on developing high-end, industrial products based on our five senses, Âtman Manufacture’s creations only contribute to the art of living. One of their flagship products is the Sylph, a high-end, membrane-free speaker, which uses surface transduction technology to transfer vibrations directly into materials like walls or furniture. Instead of sound coming from a traditional speaker cone, for example, the object it’s attached to essentially becomes the speaker itself. This turns walls and outdoor furniture into immersive sound experiences.
Atelier Vierkant
Atelier Vierkant creates innovative clay designs perfect for outdoor spaces. Combining design and terroir, they give clay, a centuries-old material, a modern twist. No two pieces are ever alike. Their 2025 catalog offers beautiful, handcrafted creations–ranging from gigantic clay vases to multipurpose stones. The Anthos, tall vases with a design that is both rustic and modern, range from 85 cm to 179 cm tall, bringing an elegant yet earthy presence to any garden or outdoor setting. For seating options, there is the Embrace Bench, a relaxing, sculptural wooden piece that invites comfort, and the KR120 stones that transform a micro-garden into an oasis, ideal for lounging or even for children to play with.
The integration of micro-gardens into residential and commercial architecture will only continue to evolve. As the demand for sustainable and health-focused living solutions grows, these green installations will become an essential component of modern apartment design. Micro-gardens represent a transformative opportunity in urban architecture, allowing designers to integrate nature into even the tiniest spaces. By embracing innovative, sustainable solutions, architects and designers play a pivotal role in contributing to the broader sustainability efforts within the industry.
