Understanding your climate is key when you’re adding to your home’s outdoor spaces. Whether you’re thinking about a simple deck or an expansive outdoor kitchen, knowing your climate’s particulars will significantly improve the outcome. Below are some design ideas that will assist you create a relaxing and comfortable outdoor space, ideal for where you live.
Alex Jewett: Godden Sudik Architects
First identify the reasons you desire to have an outdoor area. How are you going to use it most? And when?
Alex Jewett: Godden Sudik Architects
Sun
In the northern hemisphere, the sun is higher in the sky during summer and reduced during winter. Additionally, we all know that the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, therefore there’s more sunlight on the south side of a building compared to the north side.
Alex Jewett: Godden Sudik Architects
In summer we prefer shade, whereas in winter sunlight is integral to an outdoor area. If you don’t reside in a hot climate or in the southern hemisphere, consider an outdoor area in the north of your house, since the north side is in constant color during winter. Rather, use a location on the south side or within an open area away from the house and encircle the area with deciduous trees. In summer months trees provide ample shade, whereas during winter, when the leaves are gone, sunlight handily passes through.
Alex Jewett: Godden Sudik Architects
Passive solar design helps control the effect of sunlight, letting it into a space throughout the winter months and blocking it when the weather is warm. Large overhangs allow you to control and use the sun to your advantage.
The exact same concept can be accomplished on a smaller scale through the use of louvers. By slightly angling the louvers, based on your location, you are able to control how the sunlight is blocked or allowed to enter a distance, based on the time of year.
Alex Jewett: Godden Sudik Architects
Wind
Know that the most common way the wind travels in where you reside. Impacts of the wind, much like sunlight, can be positive or negative. Stronger winds tend to be uncomfortable, even though a gentle breeze, especially when it’s warm, is typically refreshing.
Alex Jewett: Godden Sudik Architects
Trees and bushes can help decrease the effect of wind. Landscape plantings can also make softer and more enjoyable outdoor spaces, provided that they do not block views you want to conserve.
Alex Jewett: Godden Sudik Architects
A sunken courtyard combined with plantings can also help reduce the impacts of wind. An outdoor area such as this could also have an awareness of solitude and become a refuge in which to unwind.
Alex Jewett: Godden Sudik Architects
Water
Water is among the most intriguing components in a landscape design. While water supplies us life, it can also be among the most destructive elements. Most of us know that we need water to keep our gardens living, but we must also ensure that the exact same water doesn’t destroy our outdoor spaces.
If you have an impervious surface, such as concrete or brick pavers, allow for water to run off in a controlled manner. You should have around a 1/4-inch incline toward a place of permeable material, such as a yard, planting bed or mulched area.
Alex Jewett: Godden Sudik Architects
A cover protects an outdoor area from snow and rain and produces a comfortably shaded place. Gutters direct water away from the structure. Think about placing a planting bed at the close of the downspout to use the water and reduce watering prices on your garden. Decorative rain chains lead water whilst adding design interest.
Alex Jewett: Godden Sudik Architects
A fountain or little creek can enhance the ambience of your outdoor area. The sound of water has the capability to create a relaxing setting and can help dampen unwanted sound, such as traffic on a busy road nearby.