With the growing eco movement, it is timely to look at urban nature concepts. The ideas highlighted here are examples of how innovative designers are coming up with ingenious solutions to injecting the natural world into urban spaces.
Urban nature is an exciting concept because of how -- if implemented properly -- our daily city routine’s can become more active. Imagine finishing work and going rock climbing on the side of your building or having an indoor vertical garden to pick fresh vegetables from at lunch.
The concept of urban nature fits within the larger green movement and expresses a desire to get back to our natural surroundings.
40 Urban Nature Concepts
40
Rugged Rock Hostels
UGO Architects' Rock Hostel is a Mountain Within the City
39
Gardens on Walls
Manuel Dressmann's 'Vertical Garden' Turns Your Apartment into a Greenhouse
38
8-Story Vertical Gardens
Patrick Blanc Makes Epic Greenery on Walls of Athenaeum Hotel
37
Unusual Urban Gardens
Earth Designs' Katrina Wells Overcomes Obstacles of Urban Garden Design
36
Indoor Garden Exhibits
The Openhouse Gallery is a Pop-Up Park
35
Aquatic Floating Gardens
Physalia Provides Filtered Waters and Green Spaces
34
Urban Rooftop Forests
101 Warren Street is an Oasis of Green in the Big Apple
33
Futuristic City Farms
The Agricultural Urbanism Concept May Just Eliminate the Supermarket
32
Indoor Garden Cabinets
KasKast Greenhouse Provides Edible Plants in the Home
31
Lush Vertical Gardens
Michael Hellgren's Work as a Landscape Architect
30
Hydroponic Indoor Gardens
The Hyundai Kitchen Nano Lets Users Grow Their Own Organic Veggies
29
Micro Gardens as Living Art
Tiny Glass Terrariums by Paula Hayes
28
Indoor Forest Museums
The Andrea Branzi Maribor Museum Takes Inspiration from the Forest
27
Bolt-On Vertical Gardens
Patrick Blanc Can Turn Any Surface Into a Green Wall
26
Pixelated Wooden Walls
The Bleu Nature Driftwood Wall Features an Unconventional Design
25
Green Urban Sculptures
Verdance by Jeffrey Greger Brings Plants Back to the City
24
Private Park High Rises
The Acadia Tree Tower is Designed With Nature in Mind
23
Green Wall Abodes
This Living Structure by Samyn and Partners is Literally Covered in Plant Life
22
Solar Tree Gardens
The Bay South Botanical Preserve Will Be Singapore's Largest Biosphere
21
Asymmetrically Stacked Skyscrapers
The Urban Forest by Mad Architects in Chongqing, China
20
Scenic Green Skyscrapers
'Collage Scape' by Woo-Young is the Future of Urban Landscaping
19
Transit Greenery
The Mobile Garden by Joe Baldwin Sweetens Chicago Air
18
Green Roof Guarantees
Toronto Implements Garden-Topped Building Law
17
Greenified Freeway Cities
Odile Decq and Bonit Conrnette Architects LA Transport Solutions
16
Notched Vertical Gardens
The Shenzhen Interchange by WorkAC Merges Earth and Air
15
Sky Gardens
Eagle Street Rooftop Farm is a 6,000-Square-Foot NYC Project
14
Water Spanning Vertical Farms
Chetwood Architects' London Bridge Includes Futuristic Agriculture
13
Urban Awareness Gardens
Landgrab City in Hong Kong Teaches Lessons in Sustainability
12
Edible Schoolyards
PS216 in New York is Getting a Nutritous Makeover
11
Ultra-Green Office Building
Hidden Eco-Friendly Corporate HQ
10
Freeway Farms
'Feeder' from Studio Gang Turns an Overpass into a Greenhouse Garden
9
Potted Plant Buildings
The Organic Building by Gaetano Pesce Features an Eclectic Vertical Garden
8
Reflective Vanity Gardens
The Vertical and Prismatic Grass Mirror by H2O Architects
7
High-Rise Waterfall Zoos
The Towering Eco-Friendly Costanera Sur in Buenos Aires
6
Towering Indoor Gardens
The Bryant Park Urban Garden Room in New York City
5
Suspended Green Wall Decor
Off the Wall Pots by Thelermont Hupton
4
Futuristic Flora Bridges
The Urban Reforestation Project Aims to Make Kuala Lumpur Greener
3
Interior Neighborhoods
The Vietnamese-Exclusive Nam House in Hackney, London
2
Transparent Legal Structures
The International Criminal Court is Guilty of Having a Snazzy Design
1
Folding Vertical Gardens
The Wyatt Federal Building's $135 Million Remodel
Related Ideas
Anti-Consumption Natural Ads
The 'Girls Just Wanna Grow Plants' Ad Aims to Reducing Consumption
Nest-Inspired Urban Houses
This Vietnamese Dwelling Offers Respite From the Concrete Jungle
Natural Moss Terrariums
Petite Foret Plus Features Five Tiers for Observing Fresh Moss
Minimalist Indoor Gardening Systems
The Conceptual BalconyFarm POT Can Be Set Up Anywhere
Plant-Filled Latticed Buildings
Wallflower Architecture + Design Creates the Touching Eden House
Nature-Inspired Home-Cleaning Products
Grove Co. Collaborates with The Nature Conservancy
Indoor Organic Waste Gardens
The Conceptual BOSCH Eco-Hub by Batuhan Duran is Sustainable
Glamorous Camping Experiences
Volodymyr Hahonin Designs the LULU Glamping Experience
Hydroponic Plant-Growth Ecosystems
The Square Greens Pod is a Compact Device to Cultivate Food
Serenely Stilted Houses
This Sustainable Tiny Home is Situated On An Elevated Platform
Garden-Centering Urban Townhouses
This Vietnamese Home's Layout is Arranged Around an Inner Garden
Urban Bottle Sustainable Initiatives
Heineken Presents Fields Green With Grass, Not Glass
Ambient Energy Harvesting Planters
This Hydroponic Planter System Encourages Interaction
Comfortable Desert Retreats
IOAN Designs the Landing House with Minimized Nature Disruption
Cactus-Inspired Urban Skyscrapers
This Danish Skyscraper Features a Spiky Facade Design
Garden-Inspired Smartphone Chargers
The Mini Moonlit Desk Garden by Seunghyuk Shin is Meditative
Eco-Friendly Offices
Office@27 by Sanjay Puri Architects is Enhanced by Ancient Indian Principles
Sustainable Airport Terminal Designs
This Lush Green Terminal is Powered By Renewable Energy
Extreme Space-Saving Architecture
A 74-Square-Foot Apartment is Redefining Urban Living
Nature-Reconnecting Outdoor Campaigns
Mammut Encouraged People to Reconnect with Nature
Interior Design Concept Guides
IKEA Unveils its Inaugural Style Guide on Home Design
Mud-Plastered Interior Earthy Homes
Studio Terratects Completes the Urul House in Kerala
Window-Accented Garden Homes
CAN Designs the Verdant House with a Luscious Garden
Sustainable Vibrant Work Environments
LEGO Group Shows Off its Innovation Campus in Denmark
Eco-Friendly Luxury Villas
Kengo Kuma Designs the Land Villas for Red Sea Global
Nature-Reconnecting Art Installations
Birkenstock Presents the Highwood Installation
Japanese Inn-Inspired Apartments
Intheory Design Creates an Apartment Inspired by Ryokan
Therapeutic Nature-Inspired Campaigns
Craghoppers Introduces Its Autumn/winter 2024 Campaign
Air-Purifying Tree Sculptures
The 'Tree.ONE' From the ecoLogicStudio is Naturalistic
Nature-Inspired Hotel Furniture
Bernadotte & Kylberg Present the Eriksberg Collection in a Hotel
Luscious Dining Bars
Ful Kyoto is an Artistically-Crafted Oasis in the Heart of a Bustling City
Escapism Electric Vehicle Concepts
The 'Trekker' Concept Vehicle is Imagined for Urbanites in 2030
Portable Minimal Smart Planters
A Team of Designers Create the Balconyfarm Planter
Vibrant Multi-Level Office Designs
Gensler Reimagines the Accenture Office Space in Chicago
Modern Minimalism Apartments
Between the Walls Designs the Old&New Apartment in Kyiv
Regenerative Eco-Park Infrastructures
Iñaki Echeverria Has Completed Phase 1 of Lake Texcoco
Eco-Friendly Pouf Chair Concepts
Design Studio701 Creates the Rio Pouffe Concept
Ocean Plastic Indoor Gardens
Ocean by Ingarden is Made Out of Ocean Plastic Waste
Hydroponics Indoor Garden Designs
The Nutraponics TLX Blends Nature with Technology Together
Naturalistic Furniture Collections
The RJ Living Back To Nature Collection Prioritizes Tranquility
Nature-Emphasizing Outdoor Campaigns
Craghoppers Introduces Its Spring/SSummer 2024 Collection
Eco-Friendly Pop-Up Restaurants
The Green Vic is End-to-End Sustainable in London
Tree-Integrated Mysterious Art
Banksy Unveils a Mysterious Tree Mural in London's Finsbury Park
Bioplastic-Made Home Interiors
Natural Material Studio Presents the White Utopia Installation
Solar Rainwater-Storing Roofs
Researchers in the Netherlands are Developing 'Blue-Green Roofs'
Modern Office Environments
The MOL Campus Project Was Designed by Architecture Firm Kinzo
Planted Balcony Home Designs
4site Architects Designs the House of Greens in Bangalore
Bright Whimsical Home Accessories
Blue Balcony Design Studio Delivers a Range of Vibrant Decor
Shielding Urban Skincare
Urban Kind Supports and Protects City Skin Against the Sun, Smog & Stress
Garden-Centric Health Centers
A Trio of Studios Designs the Carcavelos Health Complex
Subterranean Courtyard Galleries
Buzz Designs the Hermit Space Yards in Beijing Park
Minimal Philosophy Toronto Homes
Burdifilek Designs the Sleek Forest Hill Residence
Greenery-Packed Museum Buildings
This Science Museum is Designed Around a Central Park
Hidden Urban Oasis Cottages
Winwood McKenzie Adds an Extension to the Quarry House
Interior Plant Design Services
Plantd Life Capitalizes on the Springtime to Boost Its Offerings
Eco-Friendly Spa Capsules
Divana Unveils a New Sustainable Collection Composed of Eight Scents
Greenhouse-Topped Residences
Moe Architecten Adds a Greenhouse on Top of the Wooden House
Futuristic Vibrant London Apartments
2LG Studio Designs a Vibrant Apartment in East London
Hollow Terracotta Pillared Gardens
Formafantasma Creates the Biodiversity Island in Champagne
Bright Balcony-Defined Apartments
Austin Maynard Architects Designs the Nightingale Village
Immersive Garden Bar Experiences
BLOOM Explores America's First Botanical Garden in NYC
Resilient Concrete Sea Walls
Turenscape Creates the Breathing Sea Wall in Haikou City
Organic Ancient Design Furniture
The Earth To People Furniture Collection is Naturally Crafted
Oasis-Like Urban Hotels
Montalba Architects Renovates the Nobu Hotel in Palo Alto
Bamboo-Clad Residential Homes
i29 Designs the Open Park Villa to Connect with Nature
Nature Blending Modern Homes
MODU Designed the Mini Tower One Residence in Brooklyn
Nature-Inspired Multifunctional Speakers
MOSSLAB's Moss Echo Speaker Brings Nature into a Space
Naturally Inspired Tourism Campaigns
The Slovenian Tourist Board Launches a New Campaign
Beautiful Forest-Enclosed Churches
Inuce Designs the Mountain Church of Julong in China
Environmentally Blending Residences
A Threshold Studio Designs the Ineffable Light Home
Futuristic Curved Islandic Homes
The Collective Studio Co., Ltd Designs the Nest Residence
Natural Light-Centric Timber Homes
Studio Varey Architects Designs the Huron House in London
Climbing Wall-Integrated Apartments
Nati Minas & Studio Designs the Sleek Musa Apartment
Hempcrete-Crafted Sustainable Workspaces
Commonbond Architects Designs the Gardenhide Studio
Contemporary Nature-Inspired Homes
Fuller/Overby Architecture Designs the Nebo House
Natural Japanese Art Galleries
Brazil's Yayoi Kusama Gallery Features a Nature-Inspired Design
Wooden Structural Outdoor Bedes
Marco Lavit Designs the Hut Lounge Bed for Ethimo
Natural Tresspassing Campaigns
Lush and Right to Roam Believe Nature Is For Everyone
Rocky Garden-Nestled Serene Pavilions
Temp Designs the 3-to-1 Pavilion in a Rocky Garden
Personal Cubicle Concepts
Ma. Camilla Isabel Reyes Designs a Personal Working Pod Concept
Elevated Treetop Modern Cabins
NAMO Architecture & i29 Architects Create the Buitenverblijf Nest
Italian Rooftop Restaurants
Public Gardens in Toronto Offers a NYC-Inspired Oasis
Floating-Style Classroom Designs
Ennead Architects & Rockwell Group Completes the Bloomberg Center
Nature-Connecting Office Spaces
Hawkins\Brown Designs the Here + Now Office Buildings
Woven Upholstery Textile Capsules
The Elemental Wright Collection Highlights Organic Architecture
Lush Garden-Focused Melbourne Homes
Splinter Society designs the Gardener's House in Melbourne
Whimsical Urban Hotel Extensions
Neri&Hu Complete the Artyzen New Bund 31 Hotel Design
Bridge-Defining Tranquil Cities
BIG Studio Showcases the Plans for Mindfulness City
Woodland-Inspired Timber Office Spaces
Atelier du Pont Completes the Pavilion Jardins Building
Greenery-Filled Skyscraper Terrarium
ODA Presents a Look at the Terrarium Cheong-Dam Design
Elevated Park Nature Lookouts
LYTT Architecture nad ADEPT Join on the Amager Nature Park
Tranquil Aesthetic Bungalow Renovations
OWIU Design Created the Echo Park Hillhouse
Clustered Natural Campus Extensions
OMA Creates a Cluster of Structures for Hongik University
Rock-Climbing Work Spaces
Paris has a Hidden Climbing Gym and Cowork Space Inside a Chapel
Urban Pet Care Products
Petbeing's New Care Collection is Formulated for City-Based Pets
Urban Skyline-View Apartments
i29 Designs the Apartment with a View in Amsterdam
Japanese Outdoor Teaching Spaces
Heatherwick Studio Designs Spaces at the British School
Angled Concrete Forest Homes
Nendo Designs the Block Wall House in a Japanese Forest
Solo Flexible Study Spaces
YounghanChung Architects Designs the Tiny Forest Study Space
Cozy Gaden Cabin Retreats
BYRÓ architekti Designs the Garden Pavilion with Wooden Detail
Stone-Stacked Dynamic Fountains
Sabine Marcelis and SolidNature Create the Vondel Fountain
Light-Filled City Center Gardens
ROOM + Design & Build Designs the Secret Garden in Vietnam
Expansive Nature Recording Catalogues
Inner Vision Pro Offers More Than 800 Nature Recordings
Hidden Garden Timber Pavilions
Tikari Works Designs A Room Around a Tree in London
Structural Concrete Arts Center
DUO Finishes the Nanchang OCT Contemporary Arts Centre
Hotel-Based Garden Terraced Columns
WOHA Designs the Pan Pacific Orchard with Garden Terraces
Sensory-Enhanced Workspace Designs
Design ni Dukaan Elevates Workspace Design in Various Senses
Traditional Sustainable School Designs
Heatherwick Studio Showcases Plans for Universidad Ean
Poetic Habourfront Nature Centers
3XN Created the Centre for Coastal Nature and Sport Fishing
Concrete Cultural Visitor Centers
UAD Completes the Villagers' Home Center in Zhejiang Province
Nature-Themed Modern Workspaces
The New Natwest Office in London Features Greenery Throughout
Nature-Centric Tech Summits
Huawei Joins with the International Union for Conservation of Nature
Natural Landscape-Surrounding Homes
All(zone) Designs the Under the Rain Trees Holiday Home
Nature-Immersive Tranquil Resorts
Stilt Studios Designs the Treehouse Villas in Bali
Electric Garden-Nestled Cottages
NOKE Architects Designs the House of Color in Poland
Tree-Like Library Spaces
Studio Hinge Presents the Forest of Knowledge Library Design
London-Based Garden Roofscapes
James Corner Field Operations Designs a Roof Garden in London
Lotus Flower-Inspired Villas
Thilina Liyanage Designs the Lotus Villa Inspired by Nature
Sustainable Biophilic Stools
Ponti Design Studio Presents the Inspired by Nature Stool
History Museum Garden Renovations
London's Natural History Museum Underwent a Five-Acre Makeover
Nature-Bounding School Designs
Pelletier de Fontenay and Leclarc Architects Design École du Zénith
Roman Architecture-Themed Pavilions
Pratique and Fanum Design the Forum des Vestiges Pavilion
Urban Green Space Overhauls
Four of London's green spaces will receive a makeover
City Exploration Apps
Concrete is a Social Exploration App Inviting Users to Discover Their City
Nature-Inspired Collections
arcana Boasts a Series of Thoughtful Gifts for the Holidays
Village-Luke Charming Hotels
Concrfete Amsterdam Designs the BoTree Hotel in London
Plant Pod-Inspired Pendant Lights
Sujeet Kakad Designs the Nature Inspired Pendant Light
Plant-Aiding Hydroponic Systems
turf is an Energy-Harvesting Conceptual Cultivation System
Natural Material-Transformed Artworks
Borrowed Earth Collaborative Uses Natural Materials for Art
Botanical Visitor Pavilions
NU Architectuuratelier and Archipelago Create the Green Ark Pavilion
Eco-Conscious Workshop Experiences
Six Senses Vana Celebrates Environment Day with its Earth Lab
Provocative Eco Screensavers
Planet-Saving Screen Savers Encourage Switching Off Devices
Nature-Connecting Design Installations
OMCC and Diez Office Unveil the Vert Installation
Nature-Inspired Design Objects
Students at Tecnológico de Monterrey Design the Plant-Based Series
Greenery-Surrounding Lush Homes
Ho Khue Architects Creates the Nest House in Vietnam
Repurposed Imperfection-Embraced Buildings
Civic Architects & VDNVP Elevate a Series of Workspaces
Nature-Inspired Floral Villas
Thilina Liyanage Designs the Luxurious Blue Water Lily Villa
Nature-Merging Geometric Homes
Reigo & Bauer Designs the Neville Park Residence in Toronto
Terraced Naturally Lit Homes
Unknown Works Designs the Bright Oasis Home in London
Glamorous Urban Tranquil Villas
GROWTO DESIGN Presents the Natural Villa in China