SM Sky Garden

Creation of new green areas

The Sky Garden was created with the following objectives: - Serve as a living, organic link between the different components of the mall; - Utilise native species of plants ; - Store and use rainwater to maintain plants and car park maintenance; - Bring customers closer to nature; - Offer mall-goers interaction opportunities to meet with family and friends, to relax and rest; - Provide noise mitigation from busy roads; - Counteract global warming as roof gardens are known to reduce the effects of urban heat islands; - Contribute to decreasing the ambient temperature along the portion of north EDSA; - Save up to 20 percent in air-conditioning costs; - Create jobs from various tenants. [1,2]

In 2009, the outdoor park spanning almost 15,000 square meters was created by ArquitectonicaGEO for SM Prime Holdings Inc. to serve as the main entrance to SM North EDSA, the second-largest shopping mall in the Philippines. [1] The Sky Garden has a curvilinear design with lush greenery and is a 400-meter green roof development that connects the four buildings of SM North EDSA via an elevated walkway that resembles a park. The garden also includes covered pathways that wind around a river feature and berms that house shops and cafes nestled beneath a sculpted botanical landscape. The roof garden is made up of approximately 55 plant species, including trees, grass, and other plants, all grown on a special lightweight soil that does not add weight to the structure. It was designed to mitigate the effects of urban heat islands and is expected to help reduce the ambient temperature in the area where it is located. Additionally, the garden features a specialized drainage system that conserves water. Rainwater is collected, recycled, and used for landscaping and car park maintenance purposes. [2,3] The Sky Garden offers several other attractions, such as an aviary, an amphitheatre, and a lagoon, all thematically linked by water features, including ponds, fountains, and a 25-meter-wide waterfall that cools the garden. The location of the waterfalls also provides effective noise mitigation from the nearby road and bus depot for visitors to the park and the retail/dining area located above it. In addition, the garden's landscape incorporates sculptural objects that can serve as seating or playground equipment for children. To maintain the unique space dynamics and a cosy atmosphere for the people, the commercial establishments occupy only 15% of the total floor area. [3,4]

• Private sector/Corporate/Company
• Citizens or community groups