As Brooklyn continues to reach upward, its newest denizens demand an aesthetic which marries the past with the present. For the latest buildings, rooftop spaces are not an after-thought but are carefully engineered and planned early in the design phase, often long before there is a semblance of a space to survey. The primary challenge with common spaces for residential buildings is to provide some level of individual privacy while developing an overall spatial design which will also foster social interaction between users. In order to achieve this balance, smaller conversational spaces which are defined through the rigid face of the wood-clad planters and accented by hearty plantings and provide a diverse mix of seating types from long benches attached to the face of the planters to moveable chairs and tables allowing for maximum flexibility. The smaller conversational spaces take advantage of the views from the outside edges of the roof while the larger common spaces are defined by plant-softened wood fences. The materials of the space borrow from the buildings context, reclaiming many of the materials which permeated Brooklyn’s industrial heritage. Concrete, steel, aluminum and various fabrics are some of the elements which help to unite the past with the present. Transferring the feel of the sidewalk planting bed to the rooftop is achieved through the raw steel-edged green-roof garden areas which help define the spaces.

600 sq. foot Master Bedroom addition in Danville, California. [ Includes Master Suite, Master Bathroom, Master Walk-in Closet. ] Master Bathroom with Hidden Shower Drain.

Inspiration for a mediterranean kitchen remodel in Los Angeles

Photo: Philip Otto Photography

design by beth keim owner lucy and company, photo by mekenzie france
Transitional bedroom photo in Charlotte

Custom steel gate with keypad locking handle - Angelica Norton
Inspiration for a small modern partial sun front yard gravel garden path in Austin.

Large transitional master light wood floor bedroom photo in Detroit with gray walls

6" Backbay Black Powder Coat Aluminum Modern House Numbers (modernhousenumbers.com) Available in 4”, 6”, 8”, 12” or 15” high. Aluminum numbers are 3/8” thick, black powder coat finish and a ½” standoff providing a subtle shadow.

Stephanie Wiley Photography
Example of a trendy dark wood floor living room design with gray walls, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Patio - small craftsman front yard concrete paver patio idea in Boston

Beach style patio photo in Orange County

Craftsman exterior home idea in Orange County

CLOSE-UP VIEW This master bath makeover starts with bare walls that have been floated out smooth over the sheetrock. Then we hand applied a beautiful custom tinted, soft grey Venetian plaster. After two coats of plaster, the walls were waxed and buffed. This process seals the plaster, leaving a long-lasting finish. The finished product is subtle and undeniably beautiful! I’ve included a close-up view of the finish below.

Dreamy Elk Photography & Design
Example of a mid-sized minimalist one-story and detached wood brown garden shed design in Austin with a metal roof

Ambient Elements creates conscious designs for innovative spaces by combining superior craftsmanship, advanced engineering and unique concepts while providing the ultimate wellness experience. We design and build outdoor kitchens, saunas, infrared saunas, steam rooms, hammams, cryo chambers, salt rooms, snow rooms and many other hyperthermic conditioning modalities.

Julie J. Mayhew
Inspiration for a small timeless white tile and stone tile marble floor home design remodel in Milwaukee with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, a two-piece toilet, green walls, an undermount sink and marble countertops

Eat-in kitchen - mid-sized eclectic u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen idea in Philadelphia with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, quartzite countertops, green backsplash, glass tile backsplash, white appliances, an island and white countertops