SOHO Haven

Once an artists’ co-op, this penthouse's empty rooftop was restructured into a private garden retreat and entertaining space. Suspended fiberglass planters, set between the original structural steel beams, created a “false ground” appearance to support copses of birches and magnolias that cool the terrace and soften the dense urban context. Layered understory plantings of hydrangea, roses, lavender, and evergreen groundcovers evoke a modern take on the English garden. Vegetable and herb beds flank a custom-designed outdoor kitchen beside a dining terrace shaded by a vine- covered trellis. Leafy canopies and espaliered vines provide privacy, while flexible zones offer family-friendly spaces for gathering and quiet retreat.