Rooftopia developed and built a truly one of a kind rooftop paradise on two roof levels at this Michigan Ave residence. Our inspiration came from the gorgeous historical architecture of the building. Our design and development process began about a year before the project was permitted and could begin construction. Our installation teams mobilized over 100 individual pieces of steel & ipe pergola by hand through a small elevator and stair access for assembly and fabrication onsite. We integrated a unique steel screen pattern into the design surrounding a loud utility area and added a highly regarded product called Acoustiblok to achieve significant noise reduction. The custom 18 foot bar ledge has 360° views of the city skyline and lake Michigan. The luxury outdoor kitchen maximizes the options with a built in grill, dishwasher, ice maker, refrigerator and sink. The day bed is a soft oasis in the sea of buildings. Large planters emphasize the grand entrance, flanking new limestone steps and handrails, and soften the cityscape with a mix of lush perennials and annuals. A small green roof space adds to the overall aesthetic and attracts pollinators to assist with the client's veggie garden. Truly a dream for relaxing, outdoor dining and entertaining!

Lori Cannava
Inspiration for a small timeless rooftop deck container garden remodel in New York with an awning

The industrious clients came to us with dreams of a new garage structure to provide a home for all of their passions. The design came together around a three car garage with room for a micro-brewery, workshop and bicycle storage – all attached to the house via a new three season porch – and a native prairie landscape and sauna structure on the roof. Designed by Jody McGuire Photographed by Corey Gaffer

These photographs were taken of the roof deck (May 2012) by our client and show the wonderful planting and how truly green it is up on a roof in the midst of industrial/commercial Chelsea. There are also a few photos of the clients' adorable cat Jenny within the space.

Wanting to create an oasis in the city, our clients needed this garden to be lush and vibrant for their high-rise office space in Midtown, Manhattan. The garden needed to function as an area where clients and employees could hold meetings, have lunch, host after work functions or just take a relaxing break during work. The evergreen shrubs and grasses give those working inside their privacy while the tall trees provide shade for the terrace that is in full sun most of the day. We used a mix of drought-tolerant plants as well as annuals to create a look that is full and at the same time low maintenance. Photo: Lori Cannava

Lori Cannava
Example of a small classic rooftop deck container garden design in New York with an awning

A lush rooftop garden overlooking Boston’s historic Back Bay offers stunning views of the Prudential and John Hancock Tower. The character of the site is amplified by the dramatic contrast between architecture and sky. Mature magnolias underplanted with hostas form a threshold into the historic brownstone. Weathered-wood planting beds spill with new hardy shrubs, perennials, grasses, and herbs; a paper birch and a wind-sculpted spruce lend dramatic texture, structure, and scale to the space. Rugosa rose, juniper, lilac, peony, iris, perovskia, artemisia, nepeta, heuchera, sedum, and ornamental grasses survive year round and paint a brilliant summer-long display. A collection of new and antique containers dot the rooftop, and a terrific orchid collection rests beneath the birch tree during summer months.

©toddhaiman2014
Example of a mid-sized trendy rooftop deck container garden design in New York with no cover

A comfortable lounge area with firepit allows three season comfort on this rooftop terrace. Native plants and grasses provide a lush but low maintenance landscape.

A lush garden in the city provides privacy while the plants provide excitement.
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary partial sun rooftop landscaping in Chicago with decking.

Enveloped by the dramatic Hollywood Hills, this private mid-century residence required the ultimate outdoor room. The design concept was to link exotic plantings with spaces for entertaining, working, bathing, and even sleeping - urning the home 'inside-out'.

"National Designer Show House at the Historic Greystone Estate in Beverly Hills" ** Our overaching theme was "It's definitely NOT your granddad's mansion anymore!"

Nothing works as well in a shade garden as bamboo to provide an instantaneous effect of lushness, height, and a Zen-like, tropical feel. Bamboo is extremely versatile and can tolerate conditions ranging from full sun to full shade. It also does really well in containers, which keep the roots contained and the plants in check. In this garden, we've softened a monolithic looking black metal wall through the use of a row of bamboo planters, a red Japanese maple, and clustered container plantings in Asian ceramic pots. This rooftop garden is located on Manhattan's Upper West Side near the Hudson River. Read more about this garden on my blog, www.amberfreda.com.

Example of a large trendy backyard rectangular and stone pool design in Los Angeles

Blue ceramic pots and a matching blue tile backsplash bring a touch of the Mediterranean to this rooftop terrace in the heart of New York City. This Park Avenue residence actually features three separate rooftop terraces. One terrace is made for entertaining and features a built-in fireplace, inset jacuzzi, bluestone patio, custom-built wood planters, an outdoor kitchen, and ceramic pots filled with boxwoods and flowers. The upstairs terrace feels like a private oasis surrounded by lush birch trees and roses that soften the view on all sides. Another smaller terrace off the master bedroom is charmingly intimate and features a mix of serene evergreens and comfortable lounge chairs. Read more about this garden on my blog, www.amberfreda.com.

This wrap-around NYC roof garden design in the West Village features a custom-built planter 15'x30' made of red cedar and filled with a lush mix of evergreens, spiral junipers, and flowers. Read more about this garden on my blog, www.amberfreda.com.

Asha Fuller Photography Studio
Example of a classic rooftop rooftop deck container garden design in New York with no cover

deck and patio design
Example of a large classic rooftop rooftop deck design in Chicago with a pergola

Recessed LED lights create an outdoor room on a private rooftop deck. Lush plantings come alive under the soft lights.
Small minimalist backyard patio photo in Chicago with a fire pit, decking and a pergola