From Garden Roots to Urban Design: Francesco Saltarelli’s Path

Francesco Saltarelli didn’t start his career with a grand plan. He started with soil under his nails.

Growing up in Montreal, some of his most important lessons happened in his grandfather’s backyard. It was a modest garden filled with grapevines, tomatoes, and basil. Francesco spent hours there, helping plant, water, and harvest. “That’s where I learned patience,” he says. “You can’t rush living things. You have to work with them.”

Early Influences That Shaped His Design Thinking

As Francesco grew older, the city around him grew denser. Backyards became smaller. Rooftops became unused space. Yet he kept noticing how much better people felt when they had even a small connection to nature.

“I was always sketching,” he says. “I’d look at a yard or a rooftop and imagine how it could feel calmer, more useful, more human.”

That interest led him to study horticulture and landscape design at a local college in Montreal. There, he learned plant science, soil health, and sustainable landscaping practices. But more importantly, he learned how design choices affect how people live day to day.

“Good design isn’t about showing off,” he says. “It’s about how a space works at seven in the morning and again at the end of a long day.”

Learning the Trade in the Real World

After finishing his studies, Francesco worked with several established landscaping firms across Montreal. The work was hands-on and demanding. He learned construction methods, project planning, and how teams coordinate on complex builds.

Those years also showed him what didn’t work.

“I saw beautiful projects that people barely used,” he says. “They looked great in photos but didn’t fit real life.”

That gap stayed with him. He wanted to design spaces that weren’t just visually pleasing but truly livable.

Founding Saltarelli Outdoor Design in 2014

In 2014, Francesco took a risk and founded Saltarelli Outdoor Design. He started small, focusing on residential projects in neighborhoods like Westmount and Notre-Dame-de-Grâce.

From the beginning, his approach was different. He spent more time listening than talking. He asked how clients moved through their day. Where they drank coffee. Where they wanted quiet.

“If I don’t understand how someone lives, I can’t design for them,” he explains.

This mindset quickly shaped his reputation. Clients noticed that his spaces felt natural, not forced. Comfortable, not staged.

Redefining Rooftop and Urban Outdoor Spaces

As Montreal continued to grow upward, Francesco leaned into one of the city’s biggest challenges: limited outdoor space. Rooftop terraces became a major focus of his work.

He approached them carefully. Quebec’s climate demands smart choices. Plants need to survive real winters. Materials need to last.

“Every rooftop is a system,” he says. “Light, wind, drainage, weight. You have to respect all of it.”

His designs often include integrated lighting, custom planters, and water features built to handle the local climate. Sustainability plays a central role. Native plants. Eco-conscious materials. Thoughtful drainage systems.

“I don’t believe sustainability has to be complicated,” he says. “It just has to be intentional.”

A Career Built on Listening and Craft

Over time, Saltarelli Outdoor Design became known for maximizing urban environments without overdesigning them. Francesco also made a point to work with local artisans and suppliers whenever possible.

“It keeps the work grounded,” he says. “And it supports the community that supports you.”

He’s open about the learning moments along the way. Early in his career, he took on a rooftop project that stretched his experience.

“I should have slowed down,” he admits. “But asking for help saved the project. That experience taught me to respect the process.”

Staying Inspired Outside of Work

Outside of design work, Francesco finds inspiration cycling through the city, taking photos, and exploring Quebec’s national parks. He still gardens at home, carrying forward the habits he learned as a child.

“When I feel stuck, I go back to basics,” he says. “Plants don’t care about deadlines. They care about care.”

Building Ideas That Last

Francesco Saltarelli’s career hasn’t been about fast growth or flashy statements. It’s been about steady work. Paying attention. Respecting both people and place.

“Small choices add up,” he says. “That’s true in gardens and in careers.”

From a grandfather’s backyard to Montreal rooftops, his work shows what can happen when ideas are shaped patiently—and built to last.