Biolake with reflecting pool
Padua

This project was conceived to create an evocative yet functional green space, where aesthetics and symbolism come together. The design concept draws inspiration from the client’s field of expertise: a company specialising in cybersecurity and information technology.
From this technological background emerges an abstract design language, with a pattern inspired by electronic circuits and digital pathways, translated into a dynamic and harmonious layout for the planting beds that shape the rooftop garden.
The garden design consists of four flowerbeds arranged around a central pool containing aquatic plants, such as water lilies and papyrus. The pool serves as the space's beating heart, evoking the flow of information and digital connections. The lines guiding the plant arrangement mirror the paths of technological circuits, creating a unique and cohesive visual effect across all the flowerbeds.
  The Watergarden basin—measuring 15.6 meters in length and 4.5 meters in width, with a total depth of 42 cm (of which 25 cm is water)—was conceived as a true aquatic microcosm. An elegant, 1.4-meter-wide pedestrian bridge spans the water, effectively dividing the pool in two and allowing visitors to visually immerse themselves in the space; from here, they can view the setting from constantly changing perspectives, appreciating the details of the plant life and the water design.
Ornamental plants—papyrus and water lilies—are housed in custom-made circular planters (75 cm in diameter) crafted from AISI 316L steel, a material ensuring strength and durability even in a humid, nutrient-rich environment. Each planter features a recessed white LED spotlight that illuminates the plants from below; at night, this highlights the forms and colors of the leaves and flowers, transforming the installation into a striking natural scene. The depth of the individual planters is calibrated to the botanical needs of the species: 15 cm for water lilies, which prefer shallower water, and 20 cm for papyrus, which requires deeper submersion to develop its characteristic slender, upright habit.
  To ensure a healthy, stable aquatic habitat—essential for plant growth and water clarity—a high-efficiency biological filtration system has been integrated. The heart of the system is the Oase FiltoClear UVC filter, paired with a pump sized according to the pond's volume. This technology ensures the removal of impurities and the reduction of unwanted microorganisms, keeping the water clean, oxygenated, and crystal-clear, benefiting both the vegetation and the sensory experience of the public.
 
The project was designed by architect Flavia Pastò, who selected Forme d’Acqua to design and construct the water garden’s MEP systems.
 
Photos by Davide Pilli