This Just In: Transparent Garden Terrace, Moscow, Russia
In this outdoor family room, parents can sit in comfort on a generous entertaining deck while their children can play happily at their feet
This all-weather terrace sits in the garden of a young family living just outside of Moscow. It caught our attention with its lofty barn-like construction and colourful furnishings tailored to suit a couple with young children. As it was used in the filming of a popular Russian TV program, Fazenda, it had to be built rather quickly; but this didn’t stop Georgy Morozov and Nataliya Vishnyakova of Bureau GN Design Studio making sure that the overall design was jam-packed with features.
In fact, the outdoor family room, with dining area, barbecue and even a sauna out back, is as popular with children as it is for adults with the addition of a purpose-built sandpit, adjacent slippery dip, swing and jungle gym. Read on to discover how the designer couple of Bureau GN created this light and bright garden dwelling.
In fact, the outdoor family room, with dining area, barbecue and even a sauna out back, is as popular with children as it is for adults with the addition of a purpose-built sandpit, adjacent slippery dip, swing and jungle gym. Read on to discover how the designer couple of Bureau GN created this light and bright garden dwelling.
What was the brief for this project?
The owners wanted a comfortable terrace they could relax in while enjoying the surrounding nature. They also wanted to entertain friends there while ensuring it would be a place that children would like. For this reason, we combined tables, a barbecue area and a children’s playground, creating a cosy private area in the garden.
How does it work?
We think the idea of uniting the various zones (for adults and children) increases the comfort of a family vacation, and allows more relaxation time for parents and young children.
The owners wanted a comfortable terrace they could relax in while enjoying the surrounding nature. They also wanted to entertain friends there while ensuring it would be a place that children would like. For this reason, we combined tables, a barbecue area and a children’s playground, creating a cosy private area in the garden.
How does it work?
We think the idea of uniting the various zones (for adults and children) increases the comfort of a family vacation, and allows more relaxation time for parents and young children.
How did you achieve this?
We started by designing a gable roof, like a log sauna, that had high transparency and would be light. The roof also served as a frame to the open landscape. We used farm-style ‘scissor’ trusses on a central axis to get rid of the horizontal beams that would have spoiled the view of the fields beyond. These can be seen through a mesh fence at the back of the property. Although the terrace is entirely transparent, curtains are hung along the insides of the room for privacy. The result is that the family can relax in a cosy corner of the garden which is isolated from neighbours, while still enjoying a beautiful view.
What kind of material is used in the construction?
The structure was built using wood sealed with Pinotex. The roof with polycarbonate sheeting and the the pendant lights were designed by us, specifically for this project.
We started by designing a gable roof, like a log sauna, that had high transparency and would be light. The roof also served as a frame to the open landscape. We used farm-style ‘scissor’ trusses on a central axis to get rid of the horizontal beams that would have spoiled the view of the fields beyond. These can be seen through a mesh fence at the back of the property. Although the terrace is entirely transparent, curtains are hung along the insides of the room for privacy. The result is that the family can relax in a cosy corner of the garden which is isolated from neighbours, while still enjoying a beautiful view.
What kind of material is used in the construction?
The structure was built using wood sealed with Pinotex. The roof with polycarbonate sheeting and the the pendant lights were designed by us, specifically for this project.
Tell us about how the terrace is used?
Overall, the garden terrace is used all year round and is especially convenient for parents to keep young children amused in the playground which sits at the front terrace. The mini kitchen and barbecue is used mostly in the summer, as intended.
Overall, the garden terrace is used all year round and is especially convenient for parents to keep young children amused in the playground which sits at the front terrace. The mini kitchen and barbecue is used mostly in the summer, as intended.
What were the challenges associated with the project?
All our problems have been linked to the limited time we had to work on this project.
Describe the successes
We like the simplicity and clarity of the project and a feeling of lightness and airiness.
All our problems have been linked to the limited time we had to work on this project.
Describe the successes
We like the simplicity and clarity of the project and a feeling of lightness and airiness.
TELL US
Does your home feature an outdoor terrace? Tell us about it and share a photo of it in the Comments section.
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Does your home feature an outdoor terrace? Tell us about it and share a photo of it in the Comments section.
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Project name: Outdoor all-weather covered terrace
The feature we love: The family focus – it has a dining area, barbecue, sauna and playground
Designers: Georgy Morozov and Nataliya Vishnyakova of Bureau GN Design Studio
Clients: A young couple with small children
Location: Kashirskoe, Moscow, Russian Federation
Cost: 600,000 Russian rubles (AUD $12,500)
Timeframe: Two months, from June to July, 2014
See more of this project