2018 Master Design Awards: Outdoor Living
authors Kyle Clapham Patrick O'Toole
GOLD
Meadowlark Design+Build
Ann Arbor, Mich.
meadowlarkbuilders.com
Architect: PLY Architecture
Project name: Techno Meets Mid-Century Modern
Project location: Ann Arbor, Mich.
Square footage: 350
Project cost: $172,000
The original deck suffered from a lack of appeal as an exterior living space and did not create an interior connection to the outdoors. In addition, the area underneath the decking had a brick wall in front, which produced a dark cave prone to moisture and mildew. Extending the structure into the backyard worked with the design of the home and expanded living space into the forested lot.
A cantilevered design and minimal structural elements provide a well-ventilated deck that seems to float into the backyard with just enough visual weight to balance the two major exterior forms. Exposed steel beams enable maintenance, and a glass door system floods the interior with natural light. The composite glass cover keeps debris from accumulating and forges a sense of enclosure.
Products
Folding wall system: NanaWall
Glass roof: Situmbra
Deck surface: Accoya
Steel structure: Campbell and Shaw Steel
Photos: Sean Carter
SILVER
Lewis Builders
Carmel, Calif.
lewisbuilder.com
Project name: New View From an Old House
Project location: Paso Robles, Calif.
Square footage: 1,300
Project cost: $235,000
In 1977, a developer built the home on the top of a hillside with 360-degree views of the city and mountains—but without any regard on how to enjoy these views. The existing deck of the ranch-style house faced the unkept house next door and, thus, the best views came from the window of a second-floor bedroom. Half-dead, untrimmed trees obscured views to the north and to the west.
The interior floor plan was adjusted to take advantage of the best views, so both the kitchen and dining room now open up to the outside. The new outdoor living space is complete with kitchen, bar, kegerator and a diamond-shaped cement sun patio with firepit. Both sunrises and sunsets can be seen from the sitting area on the wraparound deck, whose framing is hidden by stacked stone.
Products
Stone: Emser Tile Travertine Stacked Stone Rustic Gold
Paint: Kelly-Moore Paints
Entryway: 12 x 24 Slate tile
Photos: Central Coast Real Estate Photography
BRONZE
The Porch Company
Nashville, Tenn.
porchco.com
Project name: The Rose Porch
Project location: Nashville, Tenn.
Square footage: 280
Project cost: $798,000
A young couple living in a charming old house in Nashville wanted to create an enclosed outdoor space for family living. The family is fair-skinned and has a set of twins who are very small, so they opted for a 20 foot by 14 foot enclosed porch.
The new porch was designed to occupy a portion of the yard created by an L-shape in the rear of their home. Designed and built by The Porch Company, the new porch has a timeless quality, looking as if it’s been a part of the home for more than 100 years.
Benefits of the new room include that it opens up a lot of space on the first floor of the house. The new space has direct access to a bathroom, which is good for messy kids needing to wash hands. The new porch also has a large fireplace to help extend its use from early spring to late fall.
Products
Doors: The Porch Company
Roofing: CRD Roofing
Decking: AZEK
Fire element: Hearth & Grill metal insert
Photos: J. Paul Moore
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