When it planned to build the 17-story postmodern Church Street Station Condominiums, the building owner, Focus Development, set out to fulfill the needs of its future customers. In addition to building beautiful interiors for places their customers would long to call home, they added an important feature to the building – a Garden Roof – where condominium owners could go to get away from the bustle of daily life.

Installed on the 5th floor roof atop the residents’ parking structure alongside a beautiful pool and fitness room, this 8,500 s.f. Garden Roof not only adds natural beauty, it has proven a major selling advantage – a private oasis in the middle of downtown Evanston and mere moments away from occupants’ doorsteps.

The Garden Roof Assembly, provided by American Hydrotech, is based on time-tested components like Monolithic Membrane 6125-EV waterproof membrane. A seamless hot-applied rubberized asphalt membrane, MM6125-EV provides long-lasting protection and incorporates a minimum of 25% recycled materials. The assembly also includes Floradrain FD40, which helps to recreate the plants’ natural growing environment on the roof. Designed to retain moisture, irrigating the vegetation from the underside, Floradrain also channels excess water to drains.

Birch, maple and evergreen trees, tall grasses, and flowering shrubs and perennials create a naturalistic backdrop to the lush lawn and beautiful arbors. The growing media depth in the lawn area is 8″, with the perimeter parapet in the range of 18″ deep. The irrigation is through pop up emitters.

Together, these components allow the garden to flourish season after season, so the roof remains beautiful and continues to provide the serenity the building’s inhabitants seek. And nearby buildings now have a much-improved view, which makes the Garden Roof a benefit for the building owner, its occupants, and the whole neighborhood.