Lush Vertical Garden Brings Life and Fresh Air to Lisbon's Espaço Espelho d'Água

A new project that highlighted its unique and chic interior as well its architectural design of a restaurant.

Vertical Garden Design’s latest project is a 113 square meter vertical garden in Espaço Espelho d'Água - a new restaurant/gallery/concert venue located next to the river in Belem, Lisbon. The garden wraps around the four walls of a kitchen inserted in the open space of the renovated '40s pavilion. Several windows cut through the lush surface, providing views from one side of the building to the other.

The side facing the bar is planted with varieties of Rhipsalis, Ficus, Begonia and Streptocarpus, creating a compact patchwork together with some flowers and colorful leaves. With more space available, the opposite wall is characterized by different aroids, some that are large growing and in a year or two will get impressive leaves. Also a couple of other plants, like the corner placed ferns, will reach a mature, cascading shape over time.

The shorter sides have doors to access the kitchen. One side is planted with many dark-leaved Alocasia and Anthrium plants, creating an unusual coloration, and the other hosts some singular plants that will develop strong character as they grow.