The Project Goal
Downsizing from their large suburban home, the goal of the residents was to create a sustainable and livable apartment within the context of a historically registered circa 1929 condominium building in Cleveland, Ohio. Known as Moreland Courts, the building was designed by famed Chicago architect, Alfred Harris. Landscape architect, Virginia Burt Designs, was hired by the owners to bring a living rooftop to life. The firm began designs on the garden in the winter of 2014; A Rooftop for Living was completed in April 2016. Adjacent to the residents' new fifth floor home, the 3,000- square-foot garden includes a green roof, portable urban "farm," food preparation area, and gathering space oriented to capture sunsets and views exemplifying urban living in the 21st century.

Bringing a Rooftop to Life
Conceived to be a "shakkei" inspired space, the rooftop is a place where treetops and sky play a role. Shakkei is the Japanese term for "borrowed landscape." Taking inspiration from the green rolling hills and valleys of the Chardon Highlands, varying planting depths and heights in the green roof intersect with mature oaks beyond - creating an illusion that the garden extends as far as the eyes can see.

 
Material palettes and shapes were informed by both immediate historical context and the desire to create a sweeping landscape - even at a small scale. Existing brick chimneys and the elevator penthouse became organizing elements for the garden composition. Intimate outdoor space is enclosed by the arbor to reflect forms and proportions found in the historically registered building while framing views. "I" beams and mechanical connections express the technology of the day with a nod to the local industry of the Rust Belt city.

A "river" of pebbles integrates the natural landscape into the green roof in a manner that conceals its true identity from five stories up. Agricultural field patterns are reflected in the patterns of the green roof plantings in color, form and texture of plants.

Elements became multi-purpose: the green roof handles rainwater by delivering far less to the existing stormwater drains. An FSC wood screen near the barbeque also doubles as a mechanical wall on the other side. Recycled aluminum planters create intensive planting beds for larger specimens to screen adjacent views, control winds and define accessible spaces. A nature-inspired sculptural screen, which was created by a local artist, conceals mechanical equipment from the master bedroom, while acting as a guard for the outdoor kitchen. The screen uses natural forms and shapes with attention to biophilic principles. The arbor defines and shades dining spaces while visually connecting disparate architectural elements. A retractable awning, which was integrated into the arbor, provides sun protection and privacy from the neighbors above.

Detailing of the steel work on top of posts visually lightens the overhead structure while capturing glimpses of sky. Furniture choices marry reflective steel finishes with natural wood and plantings. Visual preservation of heritage finials and wall crenellations was accomplished by a horizontal railing that is transparent from both the street below and an adjacent garden.

Strategically placed boulders were hand selected from the owner's quarry, reinforcing genius loci and connecting the rooftop garden to the owner's origins in northeast Ohio. The borrowed landscape of towering trees and historic buildings fashion this artful composition - uniting natural and built form.

Team List
Lead Landscape Architect - Virginia Burt Designs, Inc.
Architect - Doty Miller
Structural Engineer - Isaac Lewin & Assoc.
Electrical/Mechanical Engineer - Austrian & Associates

As seen in LASN magazine, February 2020.