Rooftops that rise above it all
Just in time for summer, three local landscape designers share the San Francisco rooftop terraces they’ve transformed from barren wastelands to inviting urban escapes. While the spaces share a common purpose — fresh air, good company, rinse, repeat — their inspirations are as varied as the Bay Area’s microclimates. Luckily, the designers offered a few tips so you can re-create their looks at your own home.
Hygge above all
“This space feels like you’re on top of the world,” says landscape architect Ive Haugeland of Shades of Green Landscape Architecture in Sausalito. She’s referring to a 630-square-foot Pacific Heights private rooftop garden with a glass enclosure offering unobstructed views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Marin Headlands. “But it needed to be cozied up, and the idea of hygge came to mind.” The Scandinavian concept of comfort and contentment (pronounced HUE-ga) has become a hashtagworthy catchall for warm and inviting spaces, but it’s a fitting solution for an outdoor space exposed to the elements, especially for the Norwegian-born Haugeland. On the ipe wood decking, woven lounge seating is anchored by a modern gas fire pit offering a place to lounge on warm days and get toasty on cool nights. For privacy and wind protection, the deck is surrounded by custom aluminum vessels densely packed with waterwise plants — Haugeland chose ‘Karl Foerster’ reed grass for height, a variety of succulents for texture, and bright red kangaroo paw for color. But Haugeland intentionally left the majority of the north-facing wall blank; the sheer glass highlights the drama of the view and, for anyone courageous enough to get close, creates a sense that you are standing on a precipice. Get the look: Haugeland recommends using the biggest planters you can afford and have the room to accommodate; plants will grow more easily and won’t dry out as fast. It also allows you to create a more interesting palette of plants. “In this case, you can even cut some of the kangaroo paws to add to indoor arrangements,” she says.
The High Life
This 2,000-square-foot private rooftop terrace in Pacific Heights, a collaboration between local landscape designer Monica Viarengo and her husband, Brett Terpeluk of Studio Terpeluk, is a luxe destination that nods to Viarengo’s Mediterranean heritage. Social gatherings transpire in two different seating areas depending on mood and size: The larger space features a custom yacht-inspired, 15-person wraparound sofa with a built-in speaker system and cushions in Kravet fabric in shades of cerulean and azure blue. Summer barbecues converge here during the day and, if all goes well, at night move to the custom stainless steel hot tub, which had to be lifted onto the roof with a crane. A cozier enclave, with custom fire pit surrounded by deep blue Paolo Lenti chairs, is a nice spot for more serious, wine-sipping discussions ranging from politics to marriage proposals. Around the perimeter, panels of glass — a counterpoint to the sustainably farmed ipe decking — maintain wide-open views of the bay. Native low-water purple-top verbena, imperial blue ‘cape plumbago,’ bright green agave and dwarf fountain grass spill out of powder-coated planters and custom ceramic push pots by Fresno modernist sculptor Stan Bitters to create a soft, peaceful plantscape for this party-ready pad. Get the look: Viarengo used ipe decking for its hardness and for its gray weathered patina. “We wanted to emulate the deck of a sailing yacht,” she says. Bear in mind that wood stains need regular maintenance to withstand San Francisco’s foggy, salty air. A good brand to try is Cabot.
Mission Modern
Brian Jackson and his partner, Thomas Ranese, brought on garden designer Daniel Nolan from Flora Grubb to spruce up a tricky 200-square-foot garage-roof terrace, formerly an eyesore on the way up to the front door of their 1871 Liberty Hill Victorian. Since this particular stretch of 20th Street seems to act as a wind tunnel, they needed sturdy plants that could withstand the gales and also provide some much-needed curb appeal — almost zero required maintenance would be a bonus. A clean, columnar look using tall, bright green euphorbia ingens cactus in fiberglass troughs was contrasted with two soft-gray fruitless olive trees and symmetrical light blue yucca rostrata in Flora Grubb terra cotta pots. “These drought-tolerant plants have such a striking effect against the dark building exterior,” says Jackson. In keeping with the streamlined plant concept, two bright orange Design Within Reach chairs — the only furniture in the space — make a bold statement despite their minimalist silhouette. “It’s definitely a looks-awesome-from-the-street kind of terrace, but also functional because it’s a place where Brian and Thomas can relax outdoors,” says Nolan. Get the look: Nolan recommends using neutral pots and limiting to one plant per vessel. Try something leafy and soft (acacia or olive) and counter with something more architectural (yucca, cactus, agave). Top with gravel for a clean, finished appearance.