Daniel Keeley is the founder and principal of DK Design in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Only recently did he go for the practicalTerrace designredesigned two adjacent rooftop terraces of Fayetteville Square that characterize urban outdoor living. Rooftop areas give a great atmosphere for entertaining and relaxing with friends and family. There are also a number of unique conditions that influence the process of designing and building a roof deck.
Practical terrace design – delivery options
Below, Keeley shares a few practical patio design tips to help those planning to transform their roof space into a luxurious living space. For a practicalTerrace designOn the roof you should not forget that precise planning and organization are of great importance. The biggest problem for Keeley fromDK Designand his people was the delivery. The luxury condos are two floors above a commercial floor, so delivering the materials, tools and furniture required a little more creativity. A crane was used for heavier items. However, the elevator was used for the plants and their accessories. “Be prepared to spend more money than you would on the same design for an area on the ground floor,” warns Keeley. Roof work is more expensive primarily due to the access issues mentioned above. “Also, don’t forget that workers will be constantly walking through your living area during construction,” he adds.
Practical patio design – protection from various weather conditions
On the ground, trees and various structures provide protection from the sun and winds. On the roof they can become downright unbearable. That's why appropriate protection from them is one of the priorities for a practical terrace design on the roof. On one of the two terraces, Keeley built a Jardon de Ville pavilion over the seating area. “As the winds can reach speeds of up to 100 km/h, we anchored the structure to the floor beams with steel reinforcement,” he explains. Shade is also provided by the existing roofing that is attached to the apartment. For a practicalTerrace designKeeley also recommended adding built-in storage for upholstery and cushions that can easily be tossed around in a strong gust of wind. One of his terraces, for example, has steel compartments built into the wall.
Practical terrace design – ensure you have enough privacy
Since rooftop terraces are usually located in cities, it is normal to be surrounded by tall buildings and unwanted views. And even though these apartments aren't in central Manhattan, Keeley had to find a way to protect the terrace from neighboring neighborhoods and the view of a parking lot and a slew of TV tower satellite dishes. “These terraces share a railing and have little privacy,” he explains. To separate the two terraces from each other, he used the practicalTerrace designPrivacy walls and a box tree hedge. The same hedge was also used to block unwanted views and focus the view of the Ozark Plateau.
Coziness for a practical terrace design
“We knew from the beginning that we wanted these terraces to be an extension of the interior with garden elements,” says Keeley. Upholstered furniture was chosen on both terraces to soften the design a little. A fire pit was also integrated on both roof terraces to guarantee a cozy atmosphere during a football game, which the owners can watch thanks to the outdoor television. Comfort also played an important role in the choice of flooringTerrace design. “Both had wood floors, but I wanted something that was better for walking barefoot,” says Keeley. Recycled Trex flooring was used on one of the patios, which maintains the wooden look but requires less maintenance and eliminates the risk of the owners' grandchildren catching splinters. On the other hand, quartzite tiles provide a smooth, elegant surface.
Practical terrace design taking into account its purpose
When planning your roof terrace, you should also make sure that it suits your lifestyle. For the example terraces, the main purpose is family gatherings and gatherings with friends. Both roof terraces have a dining area, a seating area for relaxing and an outdoor kitchen. Both families also have other apartments where they spend their time. Therefore, the terraces should require as little maintenance as possible. For this reason, Keeley limited for a practicalTerrace designthe plants to a minimum and installed an automatic irrigation system. “The automatic irrigation system also prevents the plants from drying out too quickly,” he explains.
Further examples of the practical terrace design of the two roof terraces are the chaises, which can serve as benches when they are not being used for sunbathing. A wall-mounted swivel arm allows the television to be rotated for an optimal field of view depending on the seating position.
