For a family that loves the outdoors, Spanish architecture firm Arnau Estudi d'Arquitectura's open-air house design is the perfect permanent living space. The house consists of an outer wall that encloses ample yards and space to soak up the sun outdoors, minimizing the amount of indoor space and maximizing its inhabitants ability to get outside.
The house is located in Girona, Spain, a sunny city that has very mild winters and temperate summers, making the open-air house concept far more feasible than in a more seasonal climate. While there remains enough indoor space to house things like bedrooms, washrooms, and a kitchen, the majority of the acreage in Arnau Estudi d'Arquitectura's design is devoted to the outdoor courtyards.
When privacy is desired, the studio has a solution as well, having built a frame around the inner courtyard that lowers a secure steel shutter when activated.
What's Driving This Trend
- Open-air Living
- Designing houses that prioritize outdoor living allows for unique and customizable living spaces with a greater connection to nature.
- Indoor-outdoor Integration
- Integrating outdoor living spaces into house design blurs the line between indoor and outdoor living while maximizing the potential for both.
- Privacy-enhancing Design
- Design solutions, such as retractable steel shutters, allow for privacy in open-air living spaces without sacrificing the benefits of outdoor living.
Who This Affects Most
- Architecture
- Architects and designers can take advantage of the trend towards outdoor living and incorporate open-air design elements into their projects.
- Real Estate
- Real estate developers can capitalize on the appeal of open-air living by creating properties with outdoor spaces that prioritize outdoor living.
- Landscape Design
- Landscape designers can work in tandem with architects to create outdoor living spaces that seamlessly integrate with house design and maximize the potential for outdoor living.
