We designed this rooftop deck in Manhattan’s TriBeCa neighborhood using a combination of bluestone pavers and ipe, a hardwood with a 30-year life expectancy. Since NYC’s Department of Buildings only allows 20% max of a total roof surface to be covered in wood, combining it with a non-flammable material like bluestone can be the perfect solution. The planters are a mix of grey fiberglass and high-fired Asian ceramic pots. High-fired pots are your best bet for ceramics outdoors because they are frost-resistant and can be left outdoors without danger of cracking. Additionally, these grey fiberglass pots make lightweight, durable choices for containers. We ran low-voltage lighting and drip irrigation lines up the backs of all of the containers and discreetly into the pots. The irrigation system runs on an automatic timer for very easy maintenance. Plantings include white birch trees, bamboo, blue junipers, roses, a red Japanese maple, umbrella pines, and “margarita” sweet potato vines.
