Native Roof Garden by Yerrabingin

Connecting to Country through edible and medicinal planting

Within a second-floor terrace workspace project by Wardle at the edge of Sydney’s tech precinct, an underused breakout space has been transformed into a thriving native food garden. Designed by First Nations design practice Yerrabingin, the project reframes a neglected rooftop as a place for connection — to plants, people, and Country.

Country-led

For Yerrabingin, the brief was about more than amenity. “The garden was conceived as a place to connect with Country in the heart of Sydney’s CBD,” explains Jessica Hodge, Principal – Designing with Country. Caring for Country was embedded through a First Nations-led process drawing on Gadigal knowledge systems and principles of custodianship: 100% of the planting is native, and around 70% has edible or medicinal qualities. “The design encourages knowledge sharing through food production, fostering a deeper understanding of Indigenous food systems, ecological stewardship and our reciprocal relationship with Country.”

Seam Collection, including the Stacking Chair (not specified in this project), and Seam Dining Table.

A warm & robust palette

The garden is organised around flexible gathering spaces for meetings, dining, events and quiet respite. Existing infrastructure was retained and repurposed, set against a durable palette of hardwood, brick, Corten steel and exposed aggregate paving. The Seam Collection was specified throughout the social spaces — among the planting, alongside the BBQ facilities, and in areas used for workplace collaboration — to “encourage people to spend time within the landscape and participate in the garden’s broader educational and social objectives,” Jessica explains. Sustainability ambitions were further met through the local production – reducing transport impacts while ensuring long-term access to parts and service.

 

A workplace pavilion
The long view

Crucially, local manufacture also provided the ability to functionally customise for the rooftop setting. The Seam Dining Chairs were specified with extra ballast to resist wind, while the tables were crafted with a customised length. Tom Rogers, Technical Design Lead at Wardle, who worked with Tait on the specification says, “This provides flexibility for large groups to use or many small groups to share. The tables also get moved around to suit”. The furniture’s finishes were coordinated with the brick, Corten and timber palette, allowing it to “sit comfortably within the landscape setting” rather than compete with it. The result is a destination that’s become genuinely well used — for lunches, meetings and client events alike — while letting the planting remain, as the designers put it, “the hero of the experience.”

 

Discover Seam
Published 29 June 2026
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