Small pieces of nature in some unlikely places

However, Four Pattana's special architect, Rujlaphus Phenphaijit, warns that rooftop gardens need special structural preparations and designers and builders need to be concerned about the structure being able to carry a weight of about 1 tonne per square metre.

Normally, a conventional floor needs to carry less than half of that. Therefore, if a rooftop green area is planned, a home-owner must forewarn the architect because the building's structure and water system must both be strong enough to cope.

When establishing a rooftop garden, you must select trees that don't have deep root systems because that may also affect the building as the trees grow, Rujlaphus said.

Small or flowering trees are most suitable for rooftops because they will thrive in the hot, direct sun and are easy to care for.

For smaller, lower-down spaces like the balconies of city condominiums, home-owners can grow a small tree and use garden accessories such as tree stumps to become natural "chairs" for breakfast or teatime.

They may also set up a small waterfall made from bamboo or stone that will create the feeling of closeness with nature, he said.

However, if you don't have enough space in your unit to build a small garden, you can build a miniature garden to bring a small piece of nature into your city life, he said.