US Bank Roof Terrace
US Bank Roof Terrace
Madison, WI
2022 WIASLA Merit Award
Madison, WI
2022 WIASLA Merit Award
The U.S. Bank roof terrace brings nature, respite, and beauty to the city's core. Once an underutilized, flat plane, the 20,000 sq. ft. roof terrace is now a flexible community gathering place, perched over Madison's capitol square. Located on an urban isthmus, the roof functions as a much-needed sponge, greatly reducing the immediate release of stormwater into the adjacent lakes. The planting palette employs low-maintenance, drought-tolerant species selected to attract pollinators (and humans!). Raised planters, pergolas, and furniture subtly delineate outdoor rooms for user groups of all sizes.
Other elements of sustainability include the use of salvaged planter trays which were refilled, replanted, and repositioned to reduce landfill waste. The vegetated roof and light-colored pavers combat the city’s urban heat island effect, minimize the building’s solar heat gain, and decrease cooling energy use.
Landscape architectural services included the city entitlement process, overall concept design, layout, custom raised planter detailing, and planting design.
This project was completed under the tenure of SmithGroup for Urban Land Interests. Construction by Vogel Bros. Building Co. Photography by Shane Bernau and Peter McCullough Photo + Drone.
The U.S. Bank roof terrace brings nature, respite, and beauty to the city's core. Once an underutilized, flat plane, the 20,000 sq. ft. roof terrace is now a flexible community gathering place, perched over Madison's capitol square. Located on an urban isthmus, the roof functions as a much-needed sponge, greatly reducing the immediate release of stormwater into the adjacent lakes. The planting palette employs low-maintenance, drought-tolerant species selected to attract pollinators (and humans!). Raised planters, pergolas, and furniture subtly delineate outdoor rooms for user groups of all sizes.
Other elements of sustainability include the use of salvaged planter trays which were refilled, replanted, and repositioned to reduce landfill waste. The vegetated roof and light-colored pavers combat the city’s urban heat island effect, minimize the building’s solar heat gain, and decrease cooling energy use.
Landscape architectural services included the city entitlement process, overall concept design, layout, custom raised planter detailing, and planting design.
This project was completed under the tenure of SmithGroup for Urban Land Interests. Construction by Vogel Bros. Building Co. Photography by Shane Bernau and Peter McCullough Photo + Drone.
© Peter McCullough Photo + Drone
Design Concept
Design Concept
Building on incredible borrowed scenery and the distinctive geometry of SOM architecture, the design organizes the terrace into a series of flexible outdoor rooms. Paving pattern and linear planters extend their reach outward as a series of slipping forms pointing to the State Capitol while simultaneously dividing, screening, and creating thresholds as a journey from one node to the next.
Building on incredible borrowed scenery and the distinctive geometry of SOM architecture, the design organizes the terrace into a series of flexible outdoor rooms. Paving pattern and linear planters extend their reach outward as a series of slipping forms pointing to the State Capitol while simultaneously dividing, screening, and creating thresholds as a journey from one node to the next.
