The new and revitalized terrace synthesizes all the best elements of city living
When we first designed this terrace in Chicago’s River North neighborhood in 2005, the installation won several industry awards for its innovative use of space and materials. Fast forward to 2019, with scheduled maintenance to the underlying roof membrane imminent, and our clients deemed it time for a re-do. Although the terrace had held up well over the intervening 14 years, opportunities to re-think and freshen it with new materials and technology beckoned.
We cleared the space completely for the membrane work to be completed. Landmark porcelain tiles in mixed sizes and colors took the place of the old cedar decking for the ground plane and serve to divide the space into functional areas. The aluminum pergola was replaced with a state-of-the-art Tuuci Ocean Master cantilever umbrella. The professional chef/owner decided it was time for his beloved grill to have a home befitting its exalted status, so we surrounded it with a custom-built unit featuring stained cedar cladding, sink, storage capacity and 2” thick custom concrete countertops. New Ratana furniture was brought in, the fence was replaced and stained a complementary silver gray, and new planters, plantings and lighting effects were introduced.
While the downtown Chicago skyline is ever evolving, it never ceases to inspire awe in its morning light and evening sunsets streaming across countless reflected surfaces. The new and revitalized terrace synthesizes all the best elements of city living in one spectacular space and is saturated with the urban experience.
