Balinese Rooftop

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Balinese Rooftop

Landscape designer Andrew O'Sullivan convinced the owner of an ugly, red brick apartment block that with the right landscaping and renovations the building would increase in value. In return for Andrew's input the owner sold him the rooftop at its pre-renovated value. At that time the apartment was basically an empty shell with the outside areas paved in terracotta. When the Burke's Backyard team visited, we witnessed an amazing transformation. After two years work, Andrew has created a fantastic rooftop apartment in the Balinese style, and almost doubled the value of the property.

Bali High

When the purchase of the rooftop apartment was finalised Andrew was on holiday in Bali. He loves the Balinese style and decided to buy a container load of furniture and send it home for use in his apartment. The rest of the items on the rooftop are recycled or salvaged, including floors, window frames, decking, plants and pots. Andrew used a brickie's hoist to haul everything he needed for his design up onto the roof.

Remarkably, Andrew has not made any structural changes to the apartment. Nothing on the roof is bolted down or permanently attached. The plants are in containers, the brickwork is laid on plastic, and furnishings, floorboards and pebbles sit on top of the tiles. This means that the whole layout can be changed around at will. The plant material used includes palms, cycads and philodendrons. Andrew tried growing ferns but found the dry, windy conditions on the roof too harsh for them.

Contact information:
Andrew O'Sullivan
Landscape Designer
Mob: 0416 284 228

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