CSG emerged the winner of a creative design competition tasked with designing and then installing a multi-function 7th floor terrace space for the tenants of this 50-story Lucien Lagrange-designed condo tower in Chicago's Streeterville neighborhood. Starting from nothing, we divided the space functionally through the use of planters; material changes in the ground plane; conversation pods centered around fire pits, grills, dining tables, sun loungers and kids' play areas. Handsome hardwood panels mix with porcelain tiles; marine-grade Tuuci umbrellas provide shade and shelter; large trees and shrubs, as well as a cornucopia of annuals spilling from planters, soften the hard lines of the building.

At night, the fire pits and grills glow as the neighboring skyscraper lights twinkle, and landscape lighting highlights leaves, branches and grasses swaying in the summer evening breezes. The adjacent swimming pool glows blue, and you have to pinch yourself and realize you're not on a South Sea isle........