The Alderley Edge Project
Elevated Elegance: A Rooftop Retreat in Alderley Edge Blends Style, Privacy, and Biodiversity
Perched above the leafy streets of Alderley Edge, a once-modest rooftop has been transformed into a luxurious, multi-functional terrace with panoramic views across the rolling Cheshire landscape. As part of a major home renovation, the outdoor space was significantly expanded to create a contemporary outdoor living area, thoughtfully designed for entertaining, relaxing, and connecting with nature.
At the heart of this stunning project is a collaboration between David Keegan Garden Design and Butler Landscapes, with expert craftsmanship and innovation from Europlanters, who manufactured and supplied the project’s signature hard landscaping features.
Corten Aesthetic, GRP Advantage
Key to the terrace’s bold yet refined identity are several large Corten effect planters made from glass-reinforced plastic (GRP). These striking containers provide generous raised planting beds for ornamental flora and culinary herbs near the outdoor kitchen area. While visually indistinguishable from real Corten steel, the GRP version offers a superior alternative—lightweight, corrosion-free, and most importantly, non-staining, making it ideal for rooftops and high-spec finishes.
The Corten effect, painstakingly hand-applied by Europlanters, also harmonises with a genuine Corten pizza oven—a standout feature of the terrace and a nod to the homeowner’s love of outdoor cooking.
A Place to Entertain, a Place to Escape
More than just a showpiece, this rooftop oasis serves multiple functions: a suntrap for quiet relaxation, a garden for biodiversity, a kitchen for al fresco dining, and a social hub with design-conscious materials throughout. A large glass skylight in the terrace floor channels daylight into the rooms below, reinforcing the open, light-filled concept.
A Case Study in Contemporary Roof Terrace Design
For architects and landscape professionals, this Alderley Edge rooftop illustrates how design-led thinking and smart material choices can create luxurious, multifunctional outdoor spaces—even in spatially constrained or elevated environments. By using GRP to replicate heavyweight architectural finishes like Corten, Europlanters has enabled a design that is not only aesthetically stunning but also practical, lightweight, and enduring.
This project showcases how integrated landscape design—considering form, function, privacy, and ecology—can elevate a terrace into a destination. It’s not just a roof with a view; it’s an immersive living environment that reflects the best of modern outdoor living.
Thoughtful Screening & Smart Storage
To ensure both privacy and visual unity, Europlanters also supplied over 13 metres of Corten-effect GRP screening. These sleek partitions offer discreet seclusion while maintaining airflow and light, blending effortlessly into the design language of the space.
A hidden GRP storage bench, also in matching finish, adds functionality without disrupting the design. This element not only provides practical storage for cushions and garden tools but also doubles as additional seating—perfect for entertaining.
Designed for All Seasons and All Senses
The terrace’s layout supports fluid indoor-outdoor living. At the heart of it is a large outdoor kitchen, complete with a 3.5-metre canopy and pergola, which offers shade on sunny days and shelter during less favourable weather—extending the usability of the space year-round.
Strategically placed lighting enhances the atmosphere as evening falls, transforming the terrace into an inviting haven. The surrounding tree canopies and wildflower gardens below contribute to a tranquil soundscape of birdsong, bringing nature ever closer to the elevated setting.
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