Architecture
Origins and Attributes: Why Was Your Outdoor Space Built That Way?
The lowdown on what's what in the world of outdoor living spaces and how they came to be
In the Australian climate, sun and shade play an influential role in how our houses are designed and how we use them. Morning sun can be invigorating and afternoon shade idyllic. As such, outdoor living spaces have become functional design features used to make the most of Australia’s climate and seamlessly extend indoor living space outside.
There are a variety of names for the outdoor architectural spaces – verandahs, porches, patios, decks and balconies – and they are often used interchangeably. However, there are structural, material and locational differences between these spaces and constructions – some subtle and some not so subtle.
Here’s a guide to the origin and characteristic attributes of each structure; but keep in mind that in some houses today the lines do definitely get blurred.
There are a variety of names for the outdoor architectural spaces – verandahs, porches, patios, decks and balconies – and they are often used interchangeably. However, there are structural, material and locational differences between these spaces and constructions – some subtle and some not so subtle.
Here’s a guide to the origin and characteristic attributes of each structure; but keep in mind that in some houses today the lines do definitely get blurred.
Verandahs can be on the ground level or upper level, or on both levels, as the previous house shows. In this contemporary house, a skillion or mono-pitched roof allows extra light to filter into the spacious living rooms, yet still provides shade on the verandah.
A verandah can make a home more environmentally friendly and energy-efficient. By shading the walls and windows of a home in a hot area, the house requires less energy to cool down. And by exposing walls in a cooler area, the house needs less energy to warm up.
Here are 10 ways to get more from your verandah.
A verandah can make a home more environmentally friendly and energy-efficient. By shading the walls and windows of a home in a hot area, the house requires less energy to cool down. And by exposing walls in a cooler area, the house needs less energy to warm up.
Here are 10 ways to get more from your verandah.
Porch
A porch is a paved, roofed area that is attached to a house and at ground level. A porch at the front or the back of the house is perfect for casual seating – entertaining friends or watching the world go by.
Porches go a long way back in history, commonly seen in French and Italian architecture during the Renaissance period. The English refined the porch to be a structure that protected and paved the area around the front door, and eventually the back door. Australian architects and builders between the 1850s and 1940s were greatly influenced by British architecture; thus, the porch is common to many historic villas and bungalows.
Also typical is the bullnose or bellcast roof over the porch or verandah. Curved corrugated sheeting is used to to cut off direct sunlight to rooms behind the bullnose so that they remain cooler. This provides an outdoor area sheltered from sun and rain, and is ideal for a more energy-efficient home.
A porch is a paved, roofed area that is attached to a house and at ground level. A porch at the front or the back of the house is perfect for casual seating – entertaining friends or watching the world go by.
Porches go a long way back in history, commonly seen in French and Italian architecture during the Renaissance period. The English refined the porch to be a structure that protected and paved the area around the front door, and eventually the back door. Australian architects and builders between the 1850s and 1940s were greatly influenced by British architecture; thus, the porch is common to many historic villas and bungalows.
Also typical is the bullnose or bellcast roof over the porch or verandah. Curved corrugated sheeting is used to to cut off direct sunlight to rooms behind the bullnose so that they remain cooler. This provides an outdoor area sheltered from sun and rain, and is ideal for a more energy-efficient home.
Porches are also used in modern and contemporary homes. This spacious porch provides a full outdoor living space with plenty of room for comfortable couches. And the peaked roof provides shade and shelter no matter what the weather.
Patio
The patio and the porch are similar, however, the patio is without a roof and, more often than not, at the rear of the house. But like the porch, it is on the ground level of the home and its space is defined by paving, whether it be cement, stone, slate or cobblestones.
The patio has historically been around for centuries in Europe and Central and South America, known better as a courtyard. However, in Western architecture, the porch paved the way for the patio, which became very popular in suburban homes of the 1950s and 1960s with the increasing interest in family-oriented activities outdoors. The patio enhanced interior living spaces by merging indoors and outdoors.
The patio and the porch are similar, however, the patio is without a roof and, more often than not, at the rear of the house. But like the porch, it is on the ground level of the home and its space is defined by paving, whether it be cement, stone, slate or cobblestones.
The patio has historically been around for centuries in Europe and Central and South America, known better as a courtyard. However, in Western architecture, the porch paved the way for the patio, which became very popular in suburban homes of the 1950s and 1960s with the increasing interest in family-oriented activities outdoors. The patio enhanced interior living spaces by merging indoors and outdoors.
Historically, the patio is ideally located close to the kitchen to serve as a transition space between the house and the larger garden or backyard, where it is private, sheltered and away from street noise. Glass doors between the patio and the indoor space are often used to achieve a seamless effect between indoor and outdoor living.
The patio can be used for a variety of functions: dining, entertaining and sunbathing. Being paved means very easy maintenance; and optional awnings or louvers provide extra shade.
These pretty patios will make you want to kick back – right now.
The patio can be used for a variety of functions: dining, entertaining and sunbathing. Being paved means very easy maintenance; and optional awnings or louvers provide extra shade.
These pretty patios will make you want to kick back – right now.
Deck
A deck is an elevated wooden floor attached to the back of a house. It is typically uncovered, but today with greater awareness of the effects of the sun, it may be covered by some form of roof or awning. A deck has railings around its edge and often steps to the ground level for access to the garden or yard.
Decks have been used in modern homes since around the 1940s, the name derived from the deck of a ship, traditionally constructed with wood.
A deck is an elevated wooden floor attached to the back of a house. It is typically uncovered, but today with greater awareness of the effects of the sun, it may be covered by some form of roof or awning. A deck has railings around its edge and often steps to the ground level for access to the garden or yard.
Decks have been used in modern homes since around the 1940s, the name derived from the deck of a ship, traditionally constructed with wood.
Decks range from simple structures (as in the previous picture) to more complex (as you can see here). Multi-levelled, this deck provides for a variety of functions and purposes (as it would on a ship) with some areas shaded and sheltered, and others exposed to the elements. Built-in seating and cooking facilities and planting make a truly cohesive outdoor living space.
Check out these stunning decks, from seaside to countryside.
Check out these stunning decks, from seaside to countryside.
Balcony
A balcony is an external extension of an upper floor; a small or large platform that protrudes over the level below. Enclosed by a railing for safety, balconies, these days, come in a variety of shapes and sizes.
Balconies date back to Classical Greece and Rome and throughout history have been places where you can both view and be viewed. Historically, they have been – and continue to be – used on civic buildings and religious buildings as places for watching processions, making speeches, rallying crowds, and calling people to prayer. Balconies became popular on private homes during the Italian Renaissance, and British architects and designers, inspired by these Italian models, adopted the balcony during the Georgian and Regency periods (the early-1700s to mid-1800s.
A balcony is an external extension of an upper floor; a small or large platform that protrudes over the level below. Enclosed by a railing for safety, balconies, these days, come in a variety of shapes and sizes.
Balconies date back to Classical Greece and Rome and throughout history have been places where you can both view and be viewed. Historically, they have been – and continue to be – used on civic buildings and religious buildings as places for watching processions, making speeches, rallying crowds, and calling people to prayer. Balconies became popular on private homes during the Italian Renaissance, and British architects and designers, inspired by these Italian models, adopted the balcony during the Georgian and Regency periods (the early-1700s to mid-1800s.
Early architects and developers in Australia, looking to British domestic architecture, typically incorporated balconies on Victorian-era terraces with cast-iron detailing used for railings.
But why stop at just one outdoor living structure when you can combine any of the noted structures to create more functional space. As you can see here, a balcony provides a roof over the porch.
But why stop at just one outdoor living structure when you can combine any of the noted structures to create more functional space. As you can see here, a balcony provides a roof over the porch.
In this contemporary home, a large balcony-verandah extends around two sides of the home and overlooks a multi-level deck with a built-in swimming pool.
Read more: How to Take Your Balcony From Bland to Grand
Read more: How to Take Your Balcony From Bland to Grand
And, this inner-city terrace has a small balcony with double doors overlooking a paved patio. O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?
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A verandah (or veranda) is a large open, long gallery with a roof and pillars. It extends the length of the house, and may also wrap around two or three sides of the structure.
The verandah is a prominent feature in 19th-century Australian architecture, seen historically in both colonial buildings and Queenslander homes. It is thought that British officials, having served in India and other colonial settlements, introduced verandahs into Australia in the late-18th century. It was well suited to Australia’s sub-tropical climate, as it cools the house on hot and humid days, providing shade and ventilation; and offers space to sit outdoors on cooler days. Additionally, where the verandah encircles the house, the exposed walls of the building do not get hit by the intense Australian sun, thereby reducing the heat indoors.