At the start of 2026, our agency sends you its best wishes.
May this new year be filled with nature, harmony, and renewal.
Thank you for your trust and your projects that bring to life the green spaces we create together.
We will continue to dedicate our passion and expertise to your outdoor spaces.
Wishing you a wonderful 2026, filled with water, nature, and sharing.
On the first floor of the Hôtel Martinez in Cannes, a 2,500 m² mineral space, saturated with ducts and technical conduits, has been transformed into a lush garden with a swimming pool and wellness facilities.
Designed by Pena Paysages and implemented by Arrosage & Paysage, this project illustrates the landscape's capacity to become a technical, climatic, and sensory infrastructure that meets the demands of the high-end hotel industry. “The challenge wasn't just aesthetic,” emphasizes Patrick Bouchardon, landscape designer at Pena Paysages. “It was about transforming a barren, uninspiring space into an attractive garden, while respecting very strict structural constraints.”
A pathway lined with Corten steel sails guides the flow of people to the various amenities, through a garden whose themes evolve according to exposure and use. A fern garden in the shaded area is enlivened by misting systems. A Mediterranean garden is planted in the sunny area, around the pool and spa.
A TRANSFORMED SLAB
Initially, the terrace was a dense network of cables, conduits, and technical installations, visible from the guest rooms. The challenge was twofold: to conceal these constraints while maintaining accessibility and to offer new uses in a revitalized space, consistent with the standards of a world-renowned hotel. The project had to incorporate the permissible load limit of 700 kg/m² on the existing slab, which was reinforced with micropiles.
The designers selected lightweight substrates (soil, pozzolana, expanded polystyrene) and chose plants adapted to shallow soil depths (20 to 70 cm). These constraints of soil depth and shade led to a preference for vertical planting.
A COOL OASIS ON THE ROOF
This project clearly addresses the challenges of climate adaptation, biodiversity preservation, and responsible resource management. Water management was integrated from the outset: a drainage network beneath a lightweight substrate ensures rainwater retention, while irrigation is automated and zone-based, and organic mulch limits evaporation. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the garden acts as a thermal and acoustic regulator, creating a cool space at the heart of the complex and enhancing the comfort of the rooms and new suites with terraces.
Everything in this landscape design is geared towards well-being: yoga spaces, green lounges, abundant vegetation, a fitness room, and relaxation areas. This landscape transformation also provides an opportunity to renovate some rooms and create 16 suites with views of the garden.
GARDENS OF SHADE AND LIGHT
To address the constraints of sunlight and near-constant shade on half of the slab, the landscape design is organized according to exposure: - a shade garden, consisting of a fern grove (Cyathea, Dicksonia) enlivened by misting systems and a specific drip irrigation system; the wooden decks host yoga and relaxation sessions; - a light garden, of Mediterranean style, combines olive trees, laurels, lavender, eucalyptus, and jasmine with intoxicating fragrances. Resistant to drought, these species complement the swimming pool and its relaxation areas, contributing to the Provençal character of the site. Designed with sustainability in mind, the project incorporates a selection of plant species adapted to reduce water and pruning needs, automated irrigation tailored to different zones, annual surface fertilization, and seasonal maintenance (pruning, winter cleaning, limited mowing). This strategy aims for controlled maintenance costs while ensuring the long-term viability of the Oasis. The pathways (made accessible to people with reduced mobility), punctuated by Corten steel panels, structure the entire area and organize the flow between the pool, facilities, and relaxation spaces.
