Project: Left Bank Rooftop Dog Park Screen Wall

Case Study Project: the Left Bank rooftop dog park screen wall and secure BBQ and seating area secured by a planter-anchored glass and wood screen wall with integrated gates without penetrating the roof membrane.

Rooftop Dog Park Glass and Wood Screen Wall Enclosure with double Gates anchored by planters. — Rooftop dog park enclosed by a wood and glass planter-anchored screen wall with gates, creating a safe urban oasis without roof penetrations. Click Link or Photo to see more about this Project featured on Archello.

Left Bank Rooftop Dog Park Screen Wall was an important modernization aspect for tenants integrated into the conversion of a 1929 Art-Deco freight station into lofts. Developers envisioned an “urban oasis” for residents. To realize it, architects specified screen walls on the roof — one to enclose the dog park, another to define a secure sitting, BBQ, and dining area — without disrupting views or compromising building codes.

Planter-anchored glass and wood screen wall with exterior gate at the Left Bank Apartments rooftop dog park, creating a secure leashing area that opens into the play zone. — Exterior and interior gates in DeepStream’s planter-anchored wood and glass screen wall creates a secure transition zone where residents can leash or unleash pets before entering or leaving the rooftop play park.

Seating area at the Left Bank Apartments rooftop with planter-anchored security screen wall by DeepStream Designs. — Planter-anchored security screen wall slide-in-easy assembly at the Left Bank Apartments rooftop, combining comfort, safety, and modern design. Click Link or Photo to see more information on DeepStream Screen Wall solutions.

The potential of a roof deck for the conversion of this historic 1929 Art Deco-style freight station and warehouse for the Pennsylvania Railroad was a major selling feature to the developer, who could see that adding a screen wall enclosure to create a rooftop dog park would set the project apart from its competitors.

Left Bank Rooftop Dog Park Screen Wall – Key Details

Location: 3131 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19104, on the banks of the Schuylkill River.
Project Scope: The $58 million, 700,000 square foot complex features 282 luxury loft apartments, 258 gated indoor parking spaces, 22,000 square feet of retail space, 100,000 square feet of office space, and is home to the Penn Children’s Center.
Completion: The project was completed in just seven months during 2000.
The Developer: Carl Dranoff was called a a “hero” by the President of the University of Pennsylvania for his skill, taste and level of determination in delivering this project so rapidly.
Architects of Record: Bower Lewis Thrower Architects, since merged with Perkins Eastman.
Project Challenges:
- A listed Historic Property among the largest properties on the National Register of Historic Places ever converted to residential use. The Left Bank has a 50-year ground lease from the University of Pennsylvania with restrictions on exterior modifications.
- Waterfront Location: with wind, high humidity, winter snow.
- Day and night access by residents.
- Need to maintain access to area under planters, screen wall and dog park for roof inspection and repairs.
- No roof penetrations allowed to eliminate leaks and expensive installation.

DeepStream Design Solutions:

DeepStream’s unique proprietary marine anodized aluminum extrusions allow for modular assembly, making even complex installations like a dog park temporary and reconfigurable with just a screwdriver and an Allen key.
Modular assembly and planters with liners boasting advanced drainage eliminated the need for expensive cranes to lift to the rooftop.
Commercial Planter-anchored screen walls with DeepStream’s integrated proprietary aluminum frames do not require roof penetrations, saving costs and eliminating access concerns.
Proprietary marine-anodized aluminum frame stands up to the toughest marine conditions, as proven through extreme testing on oceans.
Slide-in-easy modular assembly saved the General Contractor from requiring skilled labor and allowed their glass subcontractor to provide the glass locally, making for a quick and easy installation.
Three-part engineered modern, large commercial wood planters provide the best ecosystem for plants and drip irrigation, reducing operating costs while lasting for decades, unlike carpenter-built wood planters that last just 3-5 years.
Sustainable Design means that all parts are replaceable if damaged, and backed by a Lifetime Structural Warranty.
Environmental consideration included that the project would fund the planting of 3,600 trees through Trees for the Future.

Project: Left Bank Rooftop Dog Park Screen Wall Photos

Entrance to planter-anchored glass and wood screen wall with exterior gate at the Left Bank Apartments rooftop dog park, creating a pet control area with landscaped planters. — Wood and Glass Screen Wall Enclosure with Gates anchored by Planters creates a separate area, making it easy to control the release of leashed pets.

Interior view of the Left Bank Apartments rooftop dog park with landscaped planter-anchored glass and wood screen walls, and seating for residents. — The Left Bank Apartments rooftop dog park features planter-anchored glass and wood screen walls with landscaped planters and benches, creating a safe and inviting play space for residents and pets. Click Link or Photo to see more information on DeepStream Screen Wall solutions.

Interior view of the Left Bank Apartments rooftop dog park with planter-anchored wood screen walls blocking views of adjacent industrial rooftops, with seating and landscaping. — A safe, convenient rooftop dog park accessible to tenants anytime of day or night is a favorite amenity and unique marketing opportunity for the upscale Left Bank urban loft apartment conversion in Philadelphia.

Alternate view of planter-anchored glass security screen wall with slide-in easy-assembly design at the Left Bank Apartments rooftop; seating by others. — Alternate view of DeepStream’s slide-in planter-anchored security screen wall at the Left Bank Apartments rooftop; seating provided by others.

This case study illustrates how easily DeepStream’s proprietary aluminum extrusion–based planter-anchored screen wall systems create functional, durable, and aesthetically pleasing rooftop amenities. By addressing design, installation, and maintenance challenges — all while offering modular assembly and a Lifetime Structural Warranty — DeepStream delivers unmatched value to multifamily developments.