Up on the roof

By Barbara Metz, Special to the U-T 3:42 p.m.Feb. 7, 2014

Rooftop decks have been used in Mediterranean countries for hundreds of years for open-air dining, entertaining, star-gazing and sleeping. They are on the rise in Southern California as more urban-style homes are built.

An age-old architectural feature that graces homes along the Mediterranean from Spain to Egypt is on the rise in Southern California. Rooftop decks, which have been a favorite spot for stargazing, open-air dining, relaxing, entertaining and even outdoor summertime sleeping for eons, are among the latest architectural design trends.

Plants of all kinds can be planted on rooftop decks...everything from small trees to vegetables, flowers, succulents and cactus.

In San Diegos Civita community in Mission Valley, TRI Pointe Homes incorporated rooftop decks in two plans at Altana. (Altana is an Italian word meaning loggia or roof terrace, an architectural element originally found in the city of Venice during the Renaissance.)

Given Altanas location that features commanding views of the planned Civita Park and the San Diego River Valley, we decided rooftop decks were the perfect design solution, said Mike McMillen, vice president and project manager for TRI Pointe Homes Inc. Everyone agrees theyve really given Altana a wow factor.

Altanas rooftop decks are approximately 275 to 335 square feet and are on the third floor adjacent to a bonus room that is designed for entertaining, relaxing or enjoying movies.

Our target buyer enjoys the urban lifestyle and likes to entertain, said McMillen. Therefore, we included stylish amenities such as an outdoor kitchen, a fireplace, lighting and optional outdoor speakers. Combined with the bonus room, the design creates an integrated indoor-outdoor entertainment space.

TRI Pointe Homes' Altana neighborhood in Civita features rooftop decks that overlook Mission Valley and the proposed Civita Park.

There are several challenges to incorporating rooftop decks in new-home design.

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Up on the roof