Purple thistles, California poppies, clover, and dandelions have all taken root in the roughly 10-inch-deep, lightweight humus and grape-husk soil in this 580-square-foot green roof. Designer Peter Liang says that he "wanted to plant a green roof for its thermal mass, but I wanted it to be as natural as possible." Photo 2 of 10 in 10 Modern San Francisco Homes from This Two-Part Landscaping Renovation Includes a Green Roof and an “Outdoor Playroom”

10 Modern San Francisco Homes

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For his family’s recently remodeled home in San Francisco, designer Peter Liang undertook a two-part landscaping renovation. He planted a living roof, then, with the help of landscape architect Andrea Cochran, redid the backyard. "I wanted to plant a green roof for its thermal mass, but I wanted it to be as natural as possible," Liang says.