Jacob Kulin (Kulin Modern) and I worked together on Symphony Park, and we were recently looking for the next opportunity to collaborate. Fortunately that came about on a rooftop this time. Jacob helped me design an architectural railing for a roof deck in Boston's Back Bay, and then did the manufacturing/installation.

This new roof deck had stunning views of the city yet many utilities and condensers that could not be relocated. The custom railing helped us screen those utilities yet didn't block airflow. We designed a two-sized asymmetric pattern that was waterjet cut from 60/61 half-inch solid aluminum and then anodized. The back bottom third has an acrylic panel for additional screening and lighting effects.

The lower RGBW LED lighting can be any color or white. The purple was a favorite with the Boston skyline.

There's a 1/2" thick acrylic panel with cut-outs on the lower section for additional utility screening and interest.

The railings help screen roof utilities and define this seating area.

The lower LED's color shown here, is a shade of blue with 10% white for less saturation and softer color effect.

The upper and lower LED's are also independent of one another and fully dimmable. Here we only have the front top LED's illuminated.

Corner detail with countersunk stainless steel hardware.

The railings turn to conceal an HVAC unit and create a nice nook for the daybed.

During the day the acrylic (on the backside of the railings) glow from sunlight.

Waterjet cutting the pattern from solid aluminum.

Aluminum panels were then sanded to remove any imperfections.

All railings were shop assembled to check connections before anodizing.