10 Modern Rooftops For Summer Relaxing and Entertaining
With the weekend coming up and summer on our minds, the thought of relaxing on a rooftop is tempting, and inevitably magnetic. This is especially true if the rooftop is well-designed and accompanied by picturesque views.
From a residential rooftop with several outdoor gardening spaces to a supportive housing building in the Bronx with a green roof, we've compiled 10 examples of relaxing rooftop designs that offer a scenic refuge.
A Roof For Gardening in Canada
On the lower roof, cedar decking and flower beds define one of several outdoor gardening spaces. Part of her ongoing research into the livability of cities, Fitzgerald aimed to create landscaped areas that were "aesthetic, aromatic, educational, and productive." The deck is bordered by an expanded aluminum mesh railing and black metal corrugated panels.
Greg Richardson
The hydroponic rooftop garden grows out of volcanic stones. The home is conceived as a giant C-shaped spiral.
Photo: Gunnar Knechtel
A Fermob table and chairs are on the rooftop terrace. "The weather is unpredictable, to say the least. You want to be outside but you don’t want to sit in the middle of a gale," says Duncanson. "But [at this house] you can always find a place that’s quiet."
Photo: James Silverman
"We have all these different destinations," says Sardinas, a writer who works from her home office. "I’ll be working, get stuck on a passage, and take a break to go read outside." On the lower roof, red Vegetal chairs by Erwan and Ronan Bouroullec for Vitra provide moments for repose.
Photo: Matthew Williams
A rooftop oasis furthers the outdoor connection. It's planted with red fescue at the client's request for a wild and unmaintained look and an experience akin to "walking through a field."
Photo: Chris Cooper
The roof became the perfect location for their vegetable garden, as well as benches and a recreation space crowned by a hot tub powered by a four-kilowatt solar array.
Photo: Justin Fantl
"In this project, we got so much benefit out of this "secret garden" for the master suite along with all of these environmental benefits that the residents were excited to embrace. It's one of the pieces we are happiest about," says Feldman.
Photo: Joe Fletcher
The Brook, a supportive housing building in the Bronx, occupies what had, for years, been a vacant lot. The green roof, pictured here, is one of a number of LEED-driven elements.
Photo: Jake Stangel
The roof deck is a place for entertaining, and offers scenic hillside views. During the design process, the team was challenged with preserving these views while adhering to the required 3.5-foot railing height mandated by building code, a height that would block all views while seated. As a solution, the team came up with open metal railings that would maintain safety while preserving the view.
Two Harry Bertoia-designed chairs sit on the main third-story deck, which includes a hidden green roof that absorbs rainwater, cools the upper floors, and purifies the air. "It’s a nice little oasis on the roof, with plants that bloom at different times of year. The owners love spending time up there," Dubbeldam says.
Photo: Bob Gundu
Shop For Your Modern Rooftop
Innit Designs Acapulco Chair
The Innit Designs Acapulco Chair is cool in more ways than one. Based on the original 1950s design, it has an open and airy yet ergonomic and supportive open weave vinyl seat inspired by traditional Mayan hammock weaving techniques. The pear-shaped seat and architectural steel frame give the chair a retro-modern aesthetic suitable both indoors and out. Made in Toronto, Canada The Acapulco is in every way 'cool'. With avocado shaping and a comfortable woven seat, this series offers up a lounge space like no other. The seating itself is based upon time-honored Mayan hammock weaving technology in a design that unifies tradition with innovation and harmonizes the function of ergonomic comfort. Its weave perfectly cradles the body within its clean lines (without suffocating) and offers a character of casual sophistication. Flexible yet durable vinyl cord seating conforms to the sitter for the ultimate lounge experience. Acapulco Chairs have been tested according to ANSI BIFMA standards for commercial use. All materials used in production are sourced in Canada. And chairs are woven in Toronto and Los Angeles and paired with weather resistant, galvanized and polyester powder coated steel frames. Woven vinyl is phthalate free and treated to resist UV rays. Note: Chrome and copper frame finishes are suitable for indoor use only.
ShopTech Lighting Windfall Outdoor Light
Crisp lines and a slim profile combine in the Windfall Outdoor Wall Light to create a clean modern look. The indirect light bounces off the smooth, matte finish of the back plate to give off a beautiful glow. Photo Courtesy of YLighting
ShopChilewich Bold Stripe Shag Indoor/Outdoor Mat
Show your stripes indoors and out with the Chilewich Bold Stripe Shag Indoor / Outdoor Mat. It features thick bright stripes and a cushy texture made out of specially tufted vinyl yarns. Use in the bathroom, entryway or on the patio for a durably fashionable look. Available in a variety of colors and two sizes.
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