Rooftop Gardens: A Guide and Inspiration
Rooftop Gardens: A Guide and Inspiration
By Denise LeFrak Calicchio & Roberta Amon
(Rizzoli; April 2011)
Reviewed By Marissa Schain
“Rooftop Gardens: The Terraces, Conservatories, and Balconies of New York” is a gorgeous coffee-table photographic book of some of the most stunning outdoor escapes New York City has to offer. Contributing landscapers, architects, designers and Manhattan residents compiled pictures of some of the most magnificent rooftop gardens of Manhattan. Written by Denise LeFrak Calicchio and Roberta Model Amon, this book of breathtaking views is an even greater reason that one never has to leave New York for some peace and tranquility. These gardens just exude the serenity that is hard to find walking around the city or traveling around on the subway. These are ecological escapes that consist of vegetable gardens, flowers, trees, fireplaces and waterfalls.
“The garden is a source of endless delight to its owners, who admit to enjoying the best of the city and country life — all in midtown Manhattan,” authors Calicchio and Amon said. After a long day of subways, buses, buildings, and deadlines, coming home to a beautiful rooftop terrace is key for inner-peace and self-reflection.
The authors call it “a showcase for nature and art.” The outdoor space of these New York penthouses includes “classical elements of earth, water, air, and fire, in addition to a fifth element called ether, which in Greek mythology referred to the pure upper air that the gods breathed.” So much design and history went into creating these magnificent escapes. For example, an outdoor area illuminated by candlelight and surrounded by a canopy is created for multi-seasonal use. This also brings out the elegance of sitting under the canopy, dining with friends and family. The ipe floor—a type of wood—brings earthy elements that are rare to New York City.
The section “Country pleasures, urban views” displays another way to create a penthouse escape. Interior designer Sheila Bridges with landscape architect Gresham Lang created a wonderful space with a view of the Empire State Building. This garden terrace includes many summer plants such as annuals, bulbs, and perennials, shrubs, aquatic plants, trees and vines. Furniture made of Indonesian Teakwood (which repels against rain) serves as a beautiful centerpiece as well as an outdoor portable fireplace. A weeping Japanese maple with a figure of Buddha incorporates elements of Asian style.
One of my favorite penthouse views is a garden terrace overlooking Central Park. Yet again using a Japanese maple and crabapple blossoms along with a backdrop of the trees of Central Park is breathtaking. Belonging to Halsted Welles Associates, it is almost like an extension of the park itself. This colorful terrace consists of two levels, one for entertaining around the Japanese maple and crabapple blossoms and the other for the Japanese garden, which consists of ivory-patterned cast iron surrounding the garden, which provides shade. With Sargent’s crabapple, High Hopes roseblushes, and purple and white tulips, all create a breathtaking skyline retreat.
The terrace views of SoHo, TriBeCa, Park Avenue and Central Park are truly breathtaking. This book is filled with artistic, practical and ecological designs for rooftop gardens. With views of the skyline of Manhattan, one beautiful oasis after the other is the key for serenity and escape in our busy city that we know to be New York. #
