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Considering the sun and shading is one way Dale recommends enhancing a rooftop outdoor living space. He notes that having the ability to control how much sunlight comes in can be the difference in experience of such a space. Another way the sun can be a factor is when considering a garden space on a roof deck. "You can't block that sun because then you won't be able to grow anything," he says. "It's all part of the larger view of how one designs these kinds of projects." Also part of the larger view was the project's LEED for Homes certi- fication. Dale notes that such a rooftop garden space can often count for a point or two toward LEED for Homes or other similar programs. Another way to incorporate green (as shown on p. 30) is through a product called LiveRoof Hybrid Green Roofs products, which Dale incorporated into another Chicago roof deck space. Essentially they are a preplanted growing medium in small, shallow planters, and if local plants are incorporated, they don't need to be irrigated. "It can really make it feel much more like you're on the ground even when you're in the sky," Dale notes. is is just one example of the "problem solving" the architect enjoys about working on roof-deck spaces. "I've been fascinated with these kinds of outdoor spaces, espe- cially in the Chicago area, because our nice weather is so limited," he says. "It's architecture—it's just architecture on top of a building." | While such urban roof decks are often designed with space at a premium, functionality—especially when it comes to season changes—cannot be forgotten. A client in Beacon Hill wanted a modern, "'handmade" look for her roof deck space (shown p. 32), so ipe planks in 22-foot lengths were craned up at full length so the deck could be assembled with no seaming or patching, no visible fasteners, and visual interest created through the varied widths of boards arranged in a pattern. e ipe and cast concrete countertop were selected to withstand the Boston weather, and the sail-like sunshade can be taken down in inclement weather or over the winter. Also, Adams says that storage is often a priority because other space for items such as outdoor furniture may not be available. In this case, the built-in structure that conceals an elevator override structure also provides out-of-season storage, and a water spigot that can easily be accessed for gardening or cleaning. Because he sees clients with roof decks wanting to create their own "green oasis," it may be worth speaking to a landscape designer to determine the optimal size for any trees or foliage that may be planned during the design phase. Adams points to craning up a medium-sized tree that could have a several-hundred-pound root ball, which can be very heavy on the roof and an example why this might be a helpful step. FOCUS THE VIEW Beyond weight considerations, Dale explains that an- other challenge of working on an urban roof deck is planning for and accommodating views. "You can of- tentimes be up high and therefore get some pretty im- pressive views, but you also have some views that are not so impressive," he says. "You really want to focus what people can see and sort of welcome the views that people are going to 'ooh' and 'ah' over, and try to restrict the views of the power lines, other adjacent roofs, the ugly infrastructure and the things that people aren't going to be impressed by. "A lot of what we do initially is try to understand in the context of the technical requirements of code—the structure and exiting—how we create really good outdoor rooms that capitalize on the best view possible," he adds. One of Foster Dale Architects' projects (shown on p. 31) was a renovation with a substantial addition that in- cluded the whole fourth floor and extending back the first floor to create "steps" of outdoor living on the back of the building. "I think there's a difference between the kinds of private spaces you want to have off your master bedroom, and public spaces you allow your friends and/ or people in a party setting to go," Dale says. "It's just like any other architectural design problem. You're always trying to integrate spaces and allow people to experience good spaces in ways that enhance their lifestyle." Completed with Payne Bouchier Architects, privacy from neighboring buildings was a big consideration, yet the urban space needed to maintain its city views. Photo: Eric Adams QualifiedRemodeler.com QR January 2017 33