Jacobs/Ryan Associates (JRA) and Solomon Cordwell Buenz Architects collaborated on a high profile, downtown Chicago high-rise, the Heritage at Millennium Park, next to the Cultural Center in Chicago’s theatre district. JRA developed two roof decks, a streetscape, and this private residential terrace on the 28th floor.

Overlooking Millennium Park and Lake Michigan, this tranquil oriental-inspired terrace garden provides a respite from the surrounding city. Since the client is a collector of Asian art, JRA created a space for relaxation and entertainment using elements common to traditional oriental garden - structure, stone, water, plants and poetry.

The center piece of the garden is a gateway built from reclaimed cypress and Ipe, symbolic of peace and prosperity. An antique granite bench and two lanterns completes the look. To the right of the gateway, a Tsukubai water feature provides guests with the means to purify mind and body with the pleasant splash of water. Bluestone pavements, raked gravel with scholar stones, stone plants, boulders and black washed pebbles are prominent hard materials. Bamboo faced planters and fencing, along with plants, lighting and furniture provide a softer side to the terrace. Plant material included crabapple, weeping spruce and yellow flag iris.