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This Garage Was Built With a Rooftop Deck That Includes a Hot Tub

Edited by James Whitmore
Rooftop deck above a garage in Brookline with built-in planters, a dining area with bench seating, a lounge area and a hot tub

Hisel Flynn Architects and landscape architecture firm g2CLA (G2 Collaborative) have added a concrete garage to a home in Brookline, Massachusetts, designed to work as much as a social space for gathering, lounging, dining and parties as a place to park.

Rooftop deck above a garage in Brookline with built-in planters, a dining area with bench seating, a lounge area and a hot tub
Photography: Peter Vanderwarker

A garage linked to the house

The concrete structure connects to the main house by a wood bridge. On the lower level there is parking for two cars, and the same space can also hold a ping-pong table, a moped and several bikes.

Concrete garage with a rooftop deck by Hisel Flynn Architects
Photography: Peter Vanderwarker

The garden around it

The landscape design by g2CLA sets recycled granite curbs among thyme, with moss growing on a gentle slope. Bamboo screens the fence behind a concrete retaining wall that doubles as seating. There is a Corten steel fire pit, and in one corner a large granite block catches water from a rain chain, turning it into a birdbath.

Garage rooftop deck connected to the main house by a small wood bridge
Photography: Peter Vanderwarker

Two ways up

Besides the bridge from the house, the roof can be reached by concrete and steel stairs fitted with Ipe wood treads.

Concrete and steel stairs with Ipe wood treads leading up to the garage roof deck
Photography: Peter Vanderwarker

A rooftop deck for entertaining

The roof deck itself is built from Ipe. It includes custom built-in planters, a dining area with bench seating and a lounge area.

Ipe rooftop deck with custom built-in planters, a dining area with bench seating and a lounge area
Photography: Peter Vanderwarker
Rooftop deck with planters, dining bench, lounge area and custom hot tub
Photography: Peter Vanderwarker

Hot tub, steam room and sauna

The Garage Pavilion also contains a large 7-foot custom hot tub that drops down into the roof, along with a steam room and a sauna. Seen from the side, the deck and the bridge to the house read as one connected outdoor level.

Garage pavilion with a custom hot tub set into the roof, a steam room and a sauna
Photography: Peter Vanderwarker
View of the garage rooftop deck and the bridge linking it to the house
Photography: Peter Vanderwarker

Project credits

James Whitmore is an editorial pen name used by the ADC News team. Original author, project and photography credits are retained within the article.