Sitting atop a pre-war brick building in Manhattan, this rooftop garden re-imagines urban outdoor living as an extension of the penthouse apartment and provides a lush, immersive sanctuary. Designed to blur the boundaries between architecture and nature, the space unfolds beneath a sculptural canopy that references the Gothic details from the building’s architecture and the organic forms of a forest canopy. The climbing greenery and dappled light create a sense of intimacy and escape while framing sweeping skyline views. Every element—from the leaf-patterned canopies to the rich paving and upholstery surfaces—was chosen to harmonize with both the existing structure and the surrounding environment. This project demonstrates the power of landscape design in conjunction with its companion architecture.
The east end of this penthouse terrace includes two shaded areas: a dining and outdoor kitchen covered by a steel and glass shade-structure and a lounge area situated in a grove of Crape Myrtle trees. The shade structure echoes the building’s historic Gothic architecture. Real Wisteria vines provide much-needed shade in summer; the curved glass canopies over the outdoor dining and kitchen sections feature etched images of Wisteria vines and foliage which provides additional dappled shade year-round. The perimeter planters feature Boxwoods and perennial plantings that provide screening, enclosure, privacy and seasonal interest. Custom zinc-finish planters and porcelain pavers unify this wrap-around terrace.
The west side of the terrace features a smaller version of the curved glass canopy over a quiet, more secluded lounge area. This space is used for overflow from the adjacent dining and living rooms and as a quiet breakfast spot.
Sunlight, wind exposure, and drainage were all critical environmental factors that shaped the planting strategy and structural choices. The rooftop’s southern and eastern exposures invited a vibrant plant palette capable of thriving in high light and occasional urban wind tunnels. Native and adaptive species were chosen for their resilience and seasonal interest, contributing both ecological function and aesthetic diversity. Deep planters and strategically placed trellises not only supported robust growth but also softened hard lines, providing visual comfort and shade throughout the seasons.
The rooftop’s layout presented both opportunities and constraints. Its multiple chimneys, varying elevations, and structural limitations required careful coordination of the layout and material selection. Rather than work against these existing features, the design embraced them, integrating them into the garden’s backdrop. Brick chimneys became water fountains and vertical anchors, framing key views and supporting a sculptural steel canopy system. These architectural elements gave rhythm and continuity to the design while preserving the historic identity of the building. The design relies on light-weight porcelain pavers, which replaced heavy terracotta tiles, to offset the loads created by the canopies and planters.
The rooftop canopies represent a unique synthesis of precision engineering, innovative design, and architectural elegance. Each structure was meticulously crafted from thick aluminum plate and 4×4-inch aluminum bar stock—materials typically used in industrial settings rather than in ornamental architectural detailing. These elements were shaped using advanced digital fabrication techniques: water-jet cutting and CNC milling. These techniques allowed the designers to create a lightweight, intricate form without any welding. This was crucial, as welding can weaken aluminum at the joints and reduce structural integrity.
The canopy’s complex form wasn’t purely decorative—it was essential to accommodate the custom glass panels that create the ceiling. These glass components could only be fabricated as segments of a cylinder due to manufacturing limitations. This meant the supporting metal framework needed to adapt precisely to this curved geometry. The digital fabrication process ensured each piece fit together like a puzzle, forming a cohesive and seamless shell.
More than just resting on top of the frame, the glass and metal work compositely—they share loads and stresses as a unified structure. This interdependence allowed the designers to push the envelope with the structure’s slenderness. The geometry of this canopy enables it to perform both as an arch and as a bending structure, channeling forces along its curve and flexing under load to handle wind or shifting loads, giving it dynamic resilience.
Finally, the way the individual components come together is more akin to machinery assembly than conventional building construction. The connections are precisely milled with mating surfaces—engineered to fit tightly, like parts of a high-performance engine. This level of precision ensured that once assembled, the structure aligned perfectly without the need for adjustments. It also enhanced the visual clarity of the design, giving it a sense of refinement more typical of product design or aerospace engineering.
Ultimately, this rooftop garden sits at the intersection of context and creativity—honoring the heritage of its architectural host while boldly reinterpreting what an urban rooftop garden can be. It balances the public rhythm of the city and the private patterns of home life, offering its residents not just a space to unwind, but a place to feel deeply rooted amid New York’s skyline.
• Architecture offices involved in the design:
Thornton Tomasetti
• Other credits:
Structural Engineering: Thornton Tomasetti, Inc.
Canopy Structural Engineering: M. Ludvik Engineering, P.C.
Canopy Fabrication & Installation: Kolb Machine Inc.
Garden Contractor: Roger Miller Gardens, LLC
General Contractor: C Square Contracting, Inc.
Irrigation Contractor: J&B Irrigation, Inc.
Photography: Dan Wonderly, Inc.
