The Southport project was not the biggest nor was it the most complex, however, considering its size and scope, it was one of my most memorable project due to all its challenges. As it turn out, this is the first residential roof top with a sports court!
The project’s main goal was to create a backyard space for the client’s family to just “hang out” in. Unfortunately, living in a condo high-rise, in the city, there is no backyard. Luckily, the +3000SF roof top space was perfect.
Working together with Chicago Green Design, we followed the principles of sustainability, all natural and recycled materials were used to create a play ground for both adults and kids alike. Zinc metal panels, FSC certified IPE Wood, recycled rubber flooring, natural stone, and large plantings all made for a great roof space that followed the idea of decreasing the heat island effect while promoting good use of space in a dense urban environment.
Unfortunately, as luck would have it, not all think this way. Being in the Mid-West, there are still some who can not seem to grasp the notion that Chicago is a large dense city, and that we need to address roof top heat island effects and uses better. Many of whom are fellow architects!
The project was stopped by various clout-backed neighbors when they saw the basketball court framing being assembled. Mind you, the entire project met and/or exceeded all building codes and zoning ordinances, but the project was not allowed to move forward. After a period of a year in limbo, and having to go through numerous city, aldermanic, and neighborhood meetings we were finally given the go ahead.
What scared people about this project was the fact that this was the first basketball court on top of a residential roof top. There are numerous basketball courts on roof tops through out Chicago, but all have been on commercial buildings. Being the first always seem to scare people. In this case. they were afraid that this would set a precedent and that everyone would jump up and install a basketball court on their roofs too.