When you think of Southern California, what comes to mind? Sunny skies, a Mediterranean climate, and lush plant life that remains vibrant year-round. Designing a home that reflects this Californian essence involves capturing the region’s natural beauty while ensuring the landscape can withstand occasional harsh conditions. At Mandarin Oriental Residences in Beverly Hills, landscape architect Enzo Enea has created gardens, private courtyards, and a rooftop oasis inspired by the local microclimate. These outdoor spaces seamlessly blend indoor and outdoor living, inviting residents to slow down and reconnect with nature.
Enzo Enea used the opportunity at Mandarin Oriental in Beverly Hills (MOBH) to tie in with the celebrated Southern California architectural tradition and its famous microclimate. The fresh air in SoCal provides a sense of relief, setting the tone for the entire project. Given the area’s overall conditions, the Enea team had a broad range of local plants to choose from to create spaces unique to MOBH and its residents.
The level one courtyard is tropical, lush, and shaded, immediately creating a private oasis away from the surrounding hustle and bustle of Beverly Hills. Birds of Paradise are complemented by the sweet, unmistakable smell of creeping jasmine. In addition to its beauty, the plant life on the bottom floor was deliberately chosen for its ability to thrive in the courtyard’s more shaded, north facing, enclosed environment.
The rooftop lounge, a key residential space and amenity for the building, still feels intimate and like a private refuge. The plants here – pomegranate and citrus trees, rosemary, and lavender – all evoke the feeling of summer both visually and through their signature smells. Additionally, these plants are noted for their ability to tolerate heat, wind, dryness, all hallmarks and considerations of the local microclimate and a perfect fit for their rooftop perch.
Furthermore, the signature Jade Tree courtyards in select residences feature a tree resilient to Southern California’s occasionally tricky conditions.
Mandarin Oriental Residences
Landscape Architect: Enzo Enea
Images: Courtesy of Enzo Enea
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