LA Golf rooftop: 300 sq ft of artificial hedges to hide AC units and add privacy

An LA commercial property had a rooftop lounge that nobody wanted to use because it was right next to a row of loud, ugly AC units. CalifauxScapes installed 300 sq ft of artificial hedges to screen the machinery and cut down on noise. Three weeks later, the rooftop went from afterthought to an actual amenity.

Overview

The client wanted to turn a standard rooftop area into a space where employees could eat lunch and where clients could be entertained. The problem was the AC units parked right next to the seating area, visible from every angle and running loud enough to ruin any conversation. CalifauxScapes was brought in to install a 300-square-foot hedge screen that would hide the equipment and make the rooftop feel like a place people would actually want to spend time.

The challenge

Multiple large AC units sat directly adjacent to the rooftop's dining and lounge area. They were an eyesore against what should have been a decent city view, and the mechanical hum made the space feel industrial rather than relaxing. Any screening solution had to work on a rooftop, which means anchoring without penetrating the roof membrane, handling intense LA sun year-round, and keeping the whole thing lightweight enough for the structure.

The client also needed the install done within three weeks to align with a company event, so there wasn't room for a drawn-out construction timeline.

Our solution

We designed a freestanding hedge screen system that anchors to the existing parapet walls and rooftop structures. No roof penetrations, no complex structural engineering. The hedges sit in front of the AC units from the lounge's sightlines, so from where people actually sit, the machinery disappears behind a wall of green.

We used UV-resistant artificial hedge panels that won't fade under direct sun. The density of the panels also turned out to absorb some of the AC hum, which wasn't the primary goal but was a welcome side effect. The whole system was designed to be lightweight and non-invasive while still looking solid and intentional.

Implementation

We started with measurements and sightline mapping to figure out exactly where the hedges needed to go for maximum screening from the lounge area. Our team coordinated with building management to schedule all work during off-peak hours.

The install involved assembling a lightweight aluminum frame anchored to non-invasive points on the existing structure, then attaching custom-cut hedge panels to the framework. We paid attention to the edges and finishes so it looked architectural, not like a temporary screen thrown up to hide something. The full 300 sq ft installation was completed within the three-week deadline.

Results

The rooftop actually gets used now. Employees eat lunch up there, and the company hosts informal client meetings in a space that used to be a maintenance afterthought. The AC units are fully screened from the lounge seating, and the hedge density helps dampen the mechanical noise enough that normal conversation works fine.

The hedges need minimal watering, minimal trimming, and no seasonal attention. The UV-resistant materials have held their color through months of full LA sun exposure. The client ended up with a long-lasting improvement for the cost of what would have been a few months of landscaping maintenance on live plants.

"We went from hiding an embarrassing utility area to actually showing off the rooftop. CalifauxScapes' hedges looked great the day they were installed and haven't needed a thing since. Our team loves the new space, and it's become a real talking point with guests." — Facility Manager, LA Golf

Project details

Image suggestions

• Hero: Wide shot of the completed rooftop lounge with green hedges as backdrop, LA skyline in the distance.
• Before: Photo from the lounge perspective showing the exposed AC units.
• After: Same angle with the hedge screen fully installed, AC units fully screened.
• Detail: Close-up of the hedge panel texture and the clean integration with the aluminum framework.
• Wide: Environmental shot from a corner of the rooftop showing the full 300 sq ft installation in context with the lounge furniture.