Rooftop Bar
SKETCHUP , PODIUM PLUGIN
CAMERA, TAPE MEASURE
budgeted for 2019
he Job: The rooftop bar at the Mason and Rook hotel is a beautifully designed space highlighting the views and focusing on the open space available. The space boasts a bar available to guests and others which is one of the most popular spaces in DC.
The Problem: Unfortunately the is no shelter from wind and rain and the bar is forced to shut down when it rains or even if rain is forecast. This often leads to a mass exodus in the summer time when scattered showers pass through. Not being able to use this space is a dissapointment to the guests as well as a loss of revenue for the hotel.
The process
Photographs of the site posted on online and taken on site gave a me a starting point to begin to create a 3D model in SketchUp. The goal was to keep the existing open feel of the property while making a cover that would be retractable. Keeping costs down was a major concern which is why the design is based on manually deploying and retracting the cover, rather than electric products that can run up to $50,000.
Above: The existing bar and pool offers stunning views of the city. The space can also be rented out for private parties. However with the threat of rain the private events must be moved indoors, often with little notice.
Below: Arial view of canopy covering. Thick transparent plastic would be able to rolled up manually when the cover was not in use. Also extending the plastic on the sides would provide a transparent windscreen for the guests.
The Solution: Considering the mostly wooden materials on the roof I kept the design within that theme using wooden posts as support structures. The idea was to have as little effect on the view as possible. The posts can easily be painted to match the deck or the black railings. With the treat of rain staff could unroll the cover with a simple rope and pulley system in just a couple of minutes. With the cover up guests could still enjoy the bar and views.
The Detail: Wooden support structures would be used to hang lighting as well as double as flag poles. This has the benefit of organizing the lighting in a much cleaner design as well as advertising the existing bar with flags. Guests on a clear day would not realize the beams were anything but flagpoles and lighting support.
