Rooftop Design and Engineering

Below is a complete Upwork listing you can post as-is. I’ve written it to attract an architect/interior designer who can do both space planning and detailed outdoor-kitchen design, rather than someone who only produces attractive renders. # Job Title Architect / Interior Designer Needed for Rooftop Terrace, Main Outdoor Kitchen & Family Living Space ## Project Overview I am looking for an experienced architect, interior designer, or outdoor-living specialist to design a residential rooftop terrace in Saudi Arabia. This is not simply a decorative patio or BBQ area. The terrace will become an important extension of the apartment and will include the home's primary daily cooking kitchen, family seating, service spaces, children's area, planting, lighting, and a fully covered outdoor living environment. I already have a reasonably clear idea of the zoning, materials, and overall atmosphere I want. I now need a professional designer to translate the concept into a properly proportioned, practical, buildable design. The priority is to get the **2D layout and dimensions correct first**, then move into detailed kitchen design, elevations, materials, and 3D visualization. --- # Existing Space The rooftop terrace is approximately: - Width: 7.50 meters - Length/depth: 11.50 meters - Total area: approximately 86 m² - Orientation: opens toward the west - Shape: simple rectangular terrace The apartment opens onto the terrace through a large sliding glass door, approximately 3 meters wide. When exiting the apartment onto the terrace: - The kitchen zone is immediately on the right. - The family lounge is farther ahead at the far-right side. - The service area is on the left near the entrance. - The children's/activity zone is farther along the left side. The current perimeter wall is approximately 1.80 m high, with the intention of adding glazing above it to approximately 2.50 m overall height. The terrace will also be fully covered with a pergola/roof structure. --- # Main Design Requirement: U-Shaped Daily Kitchen The most important part of the project is the outdoor kitchen. This will be the home's **main everyday cooking kitchen**, not just an occasional BBQ station. The kitchen must be located immediately to the right when exiting the apartment. There is approximately 3 meters of usable wall length in this area. I want a compact but fully functional **U-shaped kitchen**. The designer will need to determine the best final dimensions, but the approximate starting footprint is around: - 3.0 m main width - 2.7–3.0 m approximate depth The U must have a proper entrance into the internal working area. It should not be completely enclosed by the bar. A clear kitchen entry of approximately 100–110 cm should be maintained. The internal working aisle should also be comfortable for daily cooking. ### Kitchen requirements Please plan for: - Large practical double sink - Built-in dishwasher - Gas cooktop, approximately 4–5 burners - Built-in gas BBQ / grill - Built-in electric oven - Small undercounter refrigerator - Large food-preparation area - Dedicated counter for small appliances such as: - coffee machine - toaster - blender - kettle - food processor - Deep drawers - Pots and pans storage - Dry-food storage - Waste/recycling pull-out - Generous electrical outlets - Practical task lighting - Floor drainage / easy wash-down considerations One side of the U should become a **breakfast / coffee bar facing the family lounge**, with approximately three stools. The bar should be useful for: - breakfast - coffee - casual meals - children sitting while someone cooks - guests interacting with the cook The kitchen should remain visually open to the family area. --- # Kitchen Construction & Materials I do not want the kitchen to look like a full stainless-steel commercial outdoor kitchen. I prefer a more permanent built-in architectural appearance. The kitchen base can be constructed from brick, block, or masonry, then rendered/plastered in an earthy finish. Possible colors: - sand - warm beige - clay - taupe - muted terracotta Cabinet doors and drawers can use durable exterior-grade materials such as WPC, composite wood-look materials, or another low-maintenance outdoor solution. Hardware can be: - matte black - dark bronze - charcoal For the countertop, I am considering: - porcelain slab - sintered stone - high-quality engineered stone suitable for the environment The countertop should have a natural stone appearance, such as: - limestone - sandstone - cream - light beige - subtle travertine Durability, heat resistance, stain resistance, and easy maintenance are important. --- # Ventilation Because the terrace will be enclosed and the kitchen includes gas cooking and a BBQ/grill, ventilation needs proper consideration. I prefer not to install a very large commercial stainless-steel extraction hood unless it is genuinely necessary. I am interested in a more discreet solution, potentially involving: - low-profile extraction - concealed extraction - extraction integrated with the roof - an exhaust fan incorporated into one of the upper glass panels I expect the designer to propose a practical concept that can later be reviewed technically by the relevant contractor/engineer. --- # Family Lounge The family seating area should be located at the far-right side of the terrace, beyond the kitchen. This will function as an everyday family living room. I am considering: - generous L-shaped sectional seating - deep comfortable cushions - coffee table - side tables - outdoor rug - surrounding planters - warm ambient lighting The lounge should visually connect with the kitchen bar so that the cook remains part of the family environment. The atmosphere should feel casual, comfortable, and residential rather than formal. --- # Left-Side Service Area Near the entrance on the left side, I want to incorporate a compact service section containing: ### Laundry Room - Washing machine - Dryer or dryer provision - Utility sink - Worktop - Cleaning storage - Laundry storage - Floor drain - Ventilation ### Maid's Room - Compact single bed - Wardrobe/storage - Small side surface - Practical circulation ### Maid's Bathroom - Shower - Toilet - Small basin - Ventilation The service rooms should use space efficiently and should visually blend into the terrace architecture. I do not want the service block to dominate the design. --- # Children's / Activity Area The farther-left portion of the terrace can be used as a children's play/activity zone, depending on the final space planning. Possible elements include: - small play structure - slide - activity table - outdoor play mat or suitable soft surface The area should remain visible from the family lounge for supervision. I want to preserve a good amount of open central circulation rather than filling every square meter with furniture. --- # Flooring The main terrace flooring should be **terracotta-colored outdoor porcelain tile**. I like the character of Southwestern / New Mexico / Mediterranean terracotta. Preferred colors: - muted terracotta - clay red - warm brick - reddish brown The flooring should be: - matte - slip resistant - outdoor rated - durable - easy to wash and maintain I do not want patterned Moroccan tile on the main floor. --- # Walls For the walls, I am interested in a subtle Moroccan / North African handcrafted character. This could include Moroccan-inspired stone, mosaic, or zellige-style finishes, but the palette should remain natural and restrained. Preferred colors: - beige - sand - ivory - warm stone - clay - taupe - muted brown I do not want strong blue or green Moroccan patterns dominating the project. The overall result should still feel appropriate for Saudi architecture and natural desert colors. --- # Roof, Glazing & Enclosure The terrace should become a covered outdoor room. The existing solid perimeter wall is approximately 1.80 m high. I am considering glazing above the wall to approximately 2.50 m overall height. The sides should therefore have a combination of: - solid lower wall - upper glazing The entire terrace should also receive a roof/pergola structure. I prefer: - aluminum or another durable exterior structure - wood-look finish - minimal maintenance - warm architectural appearance I do not want real wood if it will require significant maintenance in Saudi weather. The design must consider: - heat - sun - dust - cleaning - ventilation - weather resistance - durability --- # Planting I want greenery around the terrace, primarily at the perimeter rather than occupying the central circulation space. Possible planting style: - olive trees - rosemary - lavender - bougainvillea - agave - ornamental grasses - drought-tolerant Mediterranean/desert planting I prefer a controlled, architectural planting design rather than excessive greenery. --- # Lighting Lighting is an important part of the atmosphere. I prefer warm lighting, approximately 2700K–3000K. Possible lighting elements: - wall sconces - concealed LED strips - planter uplighting - pergola/ceiling lighting - kitchen task lighting - low-level ambient lighting The terrace should feel warm and relaxed at night. Avoid cold white lighting. --- # Overall Design Direction The intended character is a combination of: **Saudi desert architecture + Mediterranean outdoor living + subtle Moroccan craftsmanship + practical contemporary family design.** The result should feel: - warm - earthy - comfortable - practical - durable - timeless - easy to clean - suitable for heavy daily use - family-friendly I am not looking for: - excessive luxury - a hotel/resort-style concept - overly glossy interiors - an all-stainless commercial kitchen - excessive Moroccan decoration - impractical decorative solutions The design should feel achievable and realistic to construct. --- # Scope of Work / Deliverables Please explain exactly what you can provide as part of your proposal. Ideally, I am looking for some or all of the following: ### Phase 1 – Space Planning - Accurate 2D floor plan - Full terrace dimensions - Furniture layout - Kitchen layout - Service-room layout - Children's area - Circulation study - Major clearances and working dimensions I want to approve the 2D layout before moving to 3D. ### Phase 2 – Detailed Kitchen Design - Dimensioned U-shaped kitchen plan - Appliance locations - Cabinet/storage layout - Counter dimensions - Bar dimensions - Kitchen elevations - Sections where required - Material recommendations - Electrical outlet locations - Basic plumbing locations - Ventilation concept ### Phase 3 – Terrace Design Development - Furniture selection/layout - Wall treatment - Flooring layout - Pergola/ceiling concept - Glazing concept - Planting concept - Lighting concept - Material/color palette ### Phase 4 – 3D Visualization Ideally: - View from the apartment entrance toward the terrace - Kitchen/bar view - View from kitchen toward family lounge - Family lounge view - Overall terrace view - Daytime render - Evening/night render Photorealistic quality is preferred. ### Optional Construction Documentation Please state whether you can also provide: - detailed construction drawings - dimensioned elevations - ceiling/lighting plan - electrical plan - plumbing plan - flooring plan - kitchen fabrication details - joinery details - material specifications - BOQ / quantity schedule - contractor-ready drawings If these are not part of your service, that is fine. Please simply state what level of documentation you provide. --- # What I Need From the Designer I am not looking for someone who simply copies my rough idea into a rendering. I want a designer who can improve the design. I expect you to review: - proportions - ergonomics - kitchen workflow - circulation - kitchen clearances - service-room efficiency - ventilation - durability - storage - usability - family safety - maintenance - climate suitability If something in my current concept can be improved, I want you to explain why and propose a better solution. --- # Ideal Candidate I am especially interested in designers with experience in one or more of the following: - residential architecture - interior architecture - outdoor kitchens - rooftop terraces - villa design - Mediterranean architecture - Saudi / GCC residential projects - hot-climate design - custom kitchens - space planning - construction documentation Strong 2D technical planning skills are more important to me initially than rendering ability alone. --- # Software Please mention the software you use. Examples may include: - AutoCAD - Revit - SketchUp - 3ds Max - Enscape - Lumion - D5 Render - V-Ray - Rhino - Archicad - Chief Architect - similar professional software I would like editable/source files included where possible. --- # Proposal Requirements When applying, please include: 1. A short explanation of how you would approach this project. 2. Examples of similar terrace, kitchen, villa, or outdoor-living projects. 3. Exactly what drawings and deliverables you would provide. 4. Number of design revisions included. 5. Estimated project timeline. 6. Your proposed fee or milestone structure. 7. Whether source/editable files are included. 8. Whether your work will be detailed enough for a contractor to price and build. 9. Any additional information or site measurements you would need from me before starting. Please do not send only a generic portfolio message. I am particularly interested in seeing examples of **space planning, technical kitchen design, elevations, and construction drawings**, not only final renders. --- # Suggested Project Workflow My preferred workflow is: **Milestone 1:** Confirm measurements + develop 2–3 initial 2D layout options **Milestone 2:** Finalize the selected 2D layout and detailed U-shaped kitchen **Milestone 3:** Finalize materials, elevations, lighting, ceiling/pergola, glazing, planting, and service areas **Milestone 4:** Produce final 3D renders **Milestone 5, if offered:** Construction/fabrication drawing package I am open to suggestions if you have a better professional workflow. --- # Important Please pay particular attention to the orientation: When exiting the apartment onto the terrace: **Immediately RIGHT:** U-shaped main kitchen **FAR RIGHT:** family lounge **LEFT NEAR ENTRANCE:** laundry room + maid's room + maid's bathroom **FARTHER LEFT:** children's/activity area The overall terrace remains approximately **7.50 m × 11.50 m**. The final layout must be solved correctly in 2D before visual styling and 3D rendering begin.