Roof gardens are a popular and spectacular alternative to traditional roof designs. Whether for ecological, economical or historical reasons, green roofs are making a big impact all over the world. Let's take a look at 6 outstanding ones. 

Old building, Greece

This beautiful roof garden sits atop an old, graffitied building in Patras in Greece. A hidden gem, the lush, green garden and courtyard is juxtaposed against the urban setting. The garden itself is nothing special, but it shows how much a touch of greenery can completely transform a concrete jungle.

You can find this green roof at the corner of Filopoimenos and Riga Ferraiou streets in the city of Patras in Greece.

ACROS International Hall, Japan

Image via. Emilio Ambasz & Associates

Completed in 1994, the $380-million ACROS Fukuoka Prefectural International Hall in Japan creates a spectacular green beacon in a sea of high-rise city buildings. It uses vegetation on its façade and rooftop to promote energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly architecture.

The design is the brainchild of Argentinian architect and industrial designer Emilio Ambasz, one of the founders of the sustainability movement. The buildings design effectively doubles the size of the park by creating 15 low, landscaped stepped terraces, and decreases the impact of the building on nature.

Biesbosch Museum, The Netherlands

After an eight-month renovation in 2015, the Biesbosch Museum in Werkendam reopened to the public with a brand new green roof. The design incorporates a rooftop path through the grass and open wings that lead into the green surroundings.

For many, the Biesbosch Museum is the starting point for exploring the Biesbosch National Park, so it made perfect sense to incorporate the natural surroundings in the building. The interior and exterior are equally spectacular, with the revamped museum drawing record crowds when it re-opened.

The Guinigi Tower, Italy

This is possibly one of the oldest green roofs in the world, with the garden atop the 125 foot high Guinigi Tower dating back to around 1600. The tower house is one of the few remaining in Lucca, central Italy, with it’s original red brick still intact.

The tower was built in 1384 by wealthy silk merchants, but the age of the ancient Holm oaks on the roof are much harder to date exactly. The tower was restored and reopened in the 1980s, with the rooftop garden accessible via a climb of 230 stairs.

Meera Sky Garden House, Singapore

Photo by Patrick Bingham-Hall for Guz Architects

This eco-friendly house located on the island of Sentosa in Singapore is a testament to clever design and economical architecture.

The large, multi-layered four story house tries to interact and fit in with the nature around it by adding gardens and greenery on every level. The use of gardens, rather than traditional roofing materials, provides shade and reduces overheating in Singapore’s tropical climate.

Shinjuku Marui Rooftop Garden, Japan

Image via. Japantravel.com

The rooftop gardens around Japan’s bustling capital city are a big tourist attraction. They offer a peaceful escape from the notoriously busy city below. The Shinjuku Marui roof garden is atop a popular shopping mall, with an English rose garden as a feature.

The garden lights up at night at certain times of the year, but you can get a spectacular view of the sprawling city at any time.