Greetings FRIENDS,
Early in my career at a large corporate firm, I suggested a rooftop terrace for one of my designs, as we had used this element on many projects in Architecture School.  My superiors all responded that rooftop terraces wouldn’t work “in real life” because roofs were needed for mechanical, roof drains and a myriad of other practical considerations.
 
30 years later, a visionary hotelier, Mitch Patel, with Vision Hospitality, recommended that we integrate a rooftop terrace for a Fairfield Inn & Suites, in Nashville, Tennessee.  In 2011, there were no rooftop terraces in Nashville, but this one got built and was an immediate success.
 
Rooftop Terraces are now the trend.  Almost every client requests a rooftop terrace integrated into their building design.  
When is a rooftop terrace appropriate?

1. The building use warrants a public space on the roof to serve the inhabitants of the building or for a public use.  Hotels, Apartments, Condominiums, Office Buildings and Mixed-Use Projects are appropriate.
2. The view is worth enjoying.  Mountains, oceans, rivers and urban skylines create exciting backdrops to rooftop terraces.
3. The budget will support a rooftop terrace.  They add considerable cost to the budget but help create a healthier environment adding fresh air and sunlight.
4. The building maintains active uses on the street level such as lobbies, restaurants, bars, swimming pools and meeting spaces.   Rooftop terraces often pull activity and energy from the street presence.
5. The rooftop terrace is a revenue generator.  With appropriate signage and branding, rooftop restaurants, bars and meeting spaces can generate revenue to assist the bottom line.

Challenges of Rooftop Terraces:

1. Rooftop terraces often void the first floor of activity and rob the building of an energetic street presence.
2. They add considerable costs to the building with specialized paving, rerouted utilities, additional elevators or stairs and a plethora of building code challenges.
3. Rooftop amenities can create additional operating costs with redundant staff having to control these areas during non-busy hours.
4. Vertical servicing of food and beverage and disposal of trash.
5. Liability issues, especially if the terrace is open to the public and the rooftop terrace has alcohol offerings.

ODA Architecture has designed dozens of rooftop terraces in the last decade.  They can provide wonderful experiences if designed appropriately.  If you are considering a rooftop terrace for a new building or retrofitting an existing building, ODA Architecture will gladly provide a complimentary feasibility analysis and discuss specific opportunities and challenges.
Pictured below is the AC Hotel, Greenville, SC.  This mega rooftop terrace was envisioned by DJ Rama, with AURO Hotels, to give their hometown a wonderful and unique experience.  The rooftop will be open to the public on April 21.  See you topside!