A true garden above Chicago where nature, views, and thoughtful design create a sense of peace
This Chicago rooftop balances lush, layered plantings with functional entertainment spaces. The design unfolds through a series of interconnected outdoor rooms, each with its own purpose and character.
Oversized steppers form a central path adjacent the putting green, leading into a colorful, pollinator-friendly green roof that creates a living screen for the productive edible garden.At the terrace’s end, mature trees bring necessary scale to the space while a custom ipe fence draws the eye down the vegetated vista.
At the other end, a custom climate responsive pergola defines the living spaces, with mechanical louvers and infrared heaters extending use throughout the seasons. As evening sets in, dimmable landscape lighting, along with the glow of an oversized fire feature, transforms the character of the garden.
Throughout the terrace, biophilic design connects the cultivated landscape with the borrowed nature beyond it. Views across the Lincoln Park lagoon and lakefront extend the garden toward the horizon, while an oversized mirror above the grill reflects the lake back into the terrace, framing the garden with water and skyline from all directions. The landscape has also become a welcome stop for migrating birds and butterflies, bringing another layer of life and movement to the rooftop.
The result feels distinctly removed from the city while remaining deeply connected to its landscape, creating a true garden above Chicago where nature, views, and thoughtful design create an immediate and enduring sense of peace.
