Outdoor Spaces Designed for Modern City Living
Thoughtfully designed outdoor spaces for rooftops, patios, and terraces.
Rowhouse Growhouse creates outdoor spaces thoughtfully designed, installed, and styled for the way you actually live — from quiet places to unwind to welcoming spaces for gathering and connection.
From lush container gardens to full rooftop retreats, every project is designed with the realities of city living in mind — sunlight, wind, structure, and of course, how you want the space to feel when you step outside.
Let’s create your perfect outdoor retreat.
Design for Joy & Wellbeing
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The best outdoor spaces don’t just look beautiful — they change how you feel when you’re in them.
Outdoor environments should feel just as intentional as the interior of your home. A place to unwind after a long day, gather with friends on a warm evening, or simply enjoy a little greenery in the middle of the city while practicing yoga or meditating. We’ll make space for what lights you up!
Rowhouse Growhouse works with homeowners throughout Philadelphia to design rooftop gardens, terraces, patios, and container plantings that bring comfort, beauty, and nature into urban homes.
“I always wanted a smart, stylish outdoor space for entertaining, but hadn't known who to trust. Kristin and her team installed my beautifully designed patio so that when I returned from overseas, all I had to do was invite my friends over and light the candles.”
— Jess K., New York City
Our Services & Specialties
Transform your outdoor space into something truly magical.
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From intimate patios to rooftop gardens overlooking the city, Rowhouse Growhouse designs and installs complete outdoor environments tailored to how you want to live — including furnishings, container plantings, shade solutions, and architectural planters.
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Urban rooftops come with their own set of challenges: wind exposure, structural limits, and intense sunlight. Our designs balance beauty with practicality so your space remains comfortable, functional, and easy to enjoy.
Pergolas & Shade Structures
A comfortable outdoor space often begins with the right amount of shade.
Rowhouse Growhouse designs and installs pergolas and shade solutions that help rooftops, patios, and terraces feel more usable and enjoyable throughout the day. Whether it’s softening direct sunlight, adding structure to an open space, or creating a more defined outdoor area, these elements bring both function and atmosphere to your environment.
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Each solution is designed with your space, layout, and lifestyle in mind — so it feels cohesive, natural, and easy to live in, for years to come.
Bespoke Container Gardens for Small Spaces
A lush garden retreat is possible — even in the middle of the city, and even with limited space.
Rowhouse Growhouse designs and installs container gardens tailored to your space, sunlight, and lifestyle. From rooftop planters to small patio gardens, we help you bring greenery into places where traditional gardens aren’t possible — creating outdoor spaces that feel alive, personal, and easy to enjoy.
Whether you're starting from scratch or looking to enhance an existing space, the right planting design can completely transform your outdoor area.
Outdoor Staging for
Realtors & Homeowners
Outdoor spaces often shape a buyer’s very first impression.
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Rowhouse Growhouse partners with realtors and homeowners to stage patios, terraces, and gardens so buyers can easily imagine themselves enjoying the space. Thoughtful outdoor styling helps your property feel more complete, more inviting, and ultimately more memorable to potential homebuyers.
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With the right details in place, outdoor spaces photograph beautifully, show more effectively, and leave a lasting impression from the very first showing.
Our Procedure​
Every project begins with a conversation.
Consultation
We start with a complimentary fifteen-minute phone or video consultation to learn about your space, your goals, and what you’re hoping to create.
It’s a relaxed, no-pressure conversation where you can ask questions, explore ideas, and start to envision what’s possible — while making sure we’re the right fit to move forward together.
Site Visit
Next, we schedule a site visit to experience your space in person and better understand how you want it to function day to day.
We assess sunlight, layout, and existing conditions, take measurements, and talk through your goals — so we can begin shaping a design that feels thoughtful, functional, and tailored to your space.
Installation
Once your design is finalized, our team takes care of the installation, bringing every detail together with care and attention.
It’s a smooth, well-managed process where everything is thoughtfully placed and styled — so you can step outside into a space that feels complete, comfortable, and ready to enjoy, right from the very first day.
"Kristin did an amazing job transforming my drab back patio space to a beautiful urban oasis! I never used to use this space, but now I regularly enjoy coffee in the morning to start my day and tend to the lovely plants! She was an absolute pleasure to work with, and I can't sing her praises and recommend her enough!.”
— Ann L.
The Navy Yard, Philadelphia
Meet Kristin Barrett Brown
For more than twenty years, Kristin Barrett Brown led a successful event design and production firm in New York City, where organic elements and immersive environments played a central role in her work. She especially loved creating garden-centric themes, like the Pop Up Store she created for Target and Hawken.
After moving to Philadelphia, she began transforming her own rowhouse into a beautifully designed urban home — including a rooftop garden retreat that quickly became her happy place.
Rowhouse Growhouse grew naturally from that experience, combining design expertise, sustainability, and a deep love for city living.