This is the first in a series of articles discussing the principles of  ‘exterior design’.  For purposes of this series, I define ‘exterior design’, perhaps narrowly, as the devleopment of an ‘outdoor room’, primarily to avoid trespasssing in the realm of landscape architecture and partly, you may say, because I have vested interests.  That is certainly a legitimate charge, but to the extent possible I shall confine myself to general principles and avoid descending too often to the particular.  That said, please be on the look out for product plugs (and pay attentiton) because I do have a family to feed.The phrase ‘outdoor room’ is manifestly – and deliberately – oxymoronic, that is to say its parts are contradictory and it describes an area that is neither inside nor out.  The object of exterior design is to combine essential elements of both parts to create a space that is invigorating, yet relaxing.

The elements themselves are not hard to identify – the outdoors offers exposure to nature and the weather, while a room offers shelter from them.  Successful exterior design provides exposure to the elements we like (a cooling breeze, birdsong, sunshine, views, starlight) and shelter from those we don’t (rain, gales, the mid-day sun, large predators, obnoxious neighbours).

Accordingly, You might conclude that exterior design is principally concerned with sun-shades and wind-breaks (or walls and roofs).  And you would be right.  Certainly, if we were creating an outdoor room somewhere that is alread lush, balmy, benign and blessed with views there would be very little to do.

Unfortunately, we don’t all live in a location that is naturally embued with the elements that we want, so there may be more to it.  In this series I will discuss not only the principles of exterior design, but a few practical tips for the suburban world that most of us inhabit.

Part 1:  Shade

Those of us who live in temperate climates and who endure months of winter gloom are too often seduced by the notion of glorious, unobstructed sunlight.  We are so pathetically grateful to feel the first rays of spring sunshine on out backs that we shamelessly expose ourselves to its unforgiving glare.  The results, quite apart from sunburn, are too many stark, glass-walled houses with baking, inhospitable decks and parched gardens.  By inviting the sunlight into our homes and gardens, we frequently make them intolerably hot and bright.

Those who live in warmer climes have learned, through long experience, to appreciate the many virtues of shade. 

There really is nothing quite so soothing as natural shade.  Leaves actually remove heat from the sun’s rays through the dual processes of photosynthesis and evaporative cooling.  Awnings and roofs will acheive similar results, but they will absorb a re-radiate the sun’s heat.

Crucially, shade also serves to smudge the bounderies between properly indoors and properly outdoors.  All too often, the glare of the sun against glass doors viewed from within (and conversely the gloom of the indoors when viewed from without) create a strong psychological barrier between the two.  Natural shade, a traditional porch, shade sails and parasols help to blur this boundary line and promote ‘flow’.

Don’t be afraid of the shade:  Some people worry that the indoors will seems dark and gloomy if they create shade over the windows.  The key here is to created graduated levels of light and shade; in other words, don’t just move the barrier out a few metres, rather, use shades, screens and plants to diffuse the light and create layers.

Similarly,  if you do enjoy a great view, do not be afraid to frame it with shade and screens (natural or otherwise).  Every vista is enhanced by a foreground.

When designing an exterior space it is important to think in three dimensions and to use overlapping layers.  Landscape designers emphasise the importance of layers and sceens to draw one into the garden, as though down a winding path (either figuratively or actually) and the same is true – on a smaller scale – with the outdoor room:  Try to soften all of the edges and boundaries and avoid stark lines and shadows.

Sucessful interior design should entice you out of doors – or nearly out of doors – and persuade you to stay there a while.  Shade is an essential element in this process. 

In Part 2 I will discuss water.

Alex Webster