Stealing Moments

When we present a plan to a client many times we get comments like ‘why do I need an ice maker’, or ‘I don’t think we will need an overhead heater’. Often we are designing a project where we are starting from scratch, and it is hard for a client to picture wanting to use the space so much that these elements would be needed. Currently their space is used to host a 4th of July or Air and Water show party and never considered for a Halloween party or St Patrick’s Day event because the space just isn’t nice enough.
My response to the questioning of these details is that they are there to help you steal a moment that you wouldn’t normally find. These extra elements create spaces that are so appealing and functional that you will look for that hidden moment in your day to spend a few extra minutes outside. It might be a glass of wine late in November once the kids have gone to bed or a morning cup of coffee on a spring Saturday before the house is a buzz. It might be an impromptu gathering after a day at the beach or a morning run when a cold drink might just hit the spot.
Our spaces allow our clients to find those extra moments in the day to sit outside and relax. All of the hidden details like ice makers, overhead heaters, wine chillers, built in cook tops or even a little patch of SynLawn make stealing those little moments so easy they all but fall into your lap.

Design Intent

Famously attached to the likes of Sullivan, Mies van der Rohe, Corbusier, and yes, even Frank Lloyd Wright, the phrase ‘form follows function’ still rings true today. It is really a basic design philosophy that stresses the shape of a building should be primarily based upon its intended function. While Sullivan is widely considered the father of this term, he departs from his ultra modern counterparts of the 1930’s by adding ornamental iron and terra cotta to many of his buildings. Sullivan’s most famous example might be the front of the Carson Prairie Scott building in Chicago.
While our design intent varies from project to project based on project restraints and our clients’ needs, holistically our philosophy follows many of the same principles of the Sullivan school of thought. For many of our clients the roof deck becomes an extension of the modern connivance of their interior living room and kitchen. Flush with stainless steel appliances, stone fireplaces, entertainment systems, and wet bars, our outdoor spaces have all the creature comforts of your living room. While that may be more than enough for some of our clients, it is often that slight touch of ornament that takes a great functional space and transforms it into another world.
From seasonal and year round planter boxes, bubbling water elements and full blown water walls to custom draperies and cushions these outdoor living rooms become an outdoor oasis. It isn’t that Sullivan didn’t appreciate the need and importance of ornament, but he knew that the best thing a space could provide for its owner is to serve their needs functionally. Today, we have adopted his philosophy. Whether it is warm or cold, sunny or dark our most successful spaces provide interest throughout the day and throughout the year. After all, who has ever wanted a space that looks really great but can’t be used?

Introduction

Well let’s not be shy for our first post and just jump right in to Chicago RoofDeck and Garden. First you should know a little bit about who we are, where we have been, and where we are headed. Our team is comprised of designers, landscape architects, construction managers and skilled craftsmen, which allows us to approach each project as a turn key solution. Over the past ten plus years our project scopes have included everything from outdoor living rooms and kitchens, custom wood planters, outdoor lighting packages to installing reinforcing steel beams. The benefit to the client is invaluable. We are a one stop shop that takes the headache of dealing with multiple venders and contractors off of the client, allowing them to focus picking finishes and details.
The team has a history of work throughout the chicagoland area in both residential and commercial landscape design, development and construction. While our focus is in work in our own backyard, we have completed projects in Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Missouri and Georgia. This semi regional work gives us a unique design perspective that allows us to have a flexible design style that focuses on functionality while adopting the style of the individual homeowner.
Where are we headed from here? That might be the most exciting part of our business model. Even with the building season coming to an end, we are poised to come out 2011 with a plate full of unique clientele and designs. Our featured products and design capabilities are proving that they not only stand up to the test of design trends, but to the harsh elements of a Chicago winter. We are looking forward to the design challenges and possibilities that each new client that comes to the table.