The panels let in light but keep out rain and excessive sun.
One of the great perks of working with fantastic clients is that they tend to pass our name along to friends and acquaintances – in this case, to a rooftop neighbor in Chicago’s West Town neighborhood. The stunning skyline views and proximity to the Metra trains coursing in and out of Union Station are what make both spaces unique and magical.
Our new client sought a shade structure, among other amenities, and we responded to that desire by fabricating and installing a powder-coated metal pergola frame with lightly opaque, ribbed Acrylite® panels. The panels let in light but keep out rain and excessive sun. Rainwater, in fact, is removed through a clever design trick of fabricating drainage channels which carry the water away.
The panels let in light but keep out rain and excessive sun.
On the ground plane, Unilock® mixed-size porcelain tiles in the grill/dining area are complemented by ipe hardwood decking in the lounge. Ipe also forms the grill buildout and several planter boxes; aluminum planters are evident too. An aluminum fire feature and sectional furniture are focal points in the lounge.
Of course, landscape lighting and micro-irrigation play their parts to keep the plants optimally watered and the stars of the show when the sun drops below the horizon. The skyline, the trains, the roof deck…all working together for an unforgettable urban experience.
