Simon Wood Awning | Markilux - Kinder Conservatory
This is an example of a contemporary patio in Sydney with a roof extension.

Solus Hemi Fire Pit Photo by Chris Snook
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary deck in Surrey with a fire feature.

Schützen Sie sich vor übermäßiger Sonneneinstrahlung, Regen, Wind oder Kälte. Sie werden es nicht bereuen! Diese stilvolle Terrassenüberdachung mit einem flachen, wasserabweisenden Sonnenschutzdach mit Alu Lamellen verwandelt Ihre Terrasse zu einem angenehmen Außenbereich, das ganze Jahr hindurch. Dank der einfachen Bedienung und der geräuschlosen Verstellfunktion der Lamellendach erzielen Sie im Handumdrehen den idealen Lichteinfall und die gewünschte Lüftung. Genießen Sie optimalen Wohnkomfort, bei jedem Wetter! Wenn Sie die Lamellen der überdachung bei Regen schließen, ist zusätzlicher Regenschutz gewährleistet. Die patentierten Lamellen sind so konzipiert, dass das Regenwasser nach einem Schauer beim Öffnen der Lamellen zur Seite abfließt, sodass die Terrassenmöbel geschützt bleiben. Die Seiten können mit beweglichen Wandelementen ausgestattet werden, die zusätzlichen Schutz bieten. Ausgezeichneter Gebrauchskomfort! Dank verschiedener Optionen kann die Terrasse oder Garten von frühmorgens bis spätabends genutzt werden. So kreiert man praktisch einen weiteren Wohnraum. Unter der Überdachung können Beleuchtungs- und Heizelemente und Lautsprecher angebracht werden. Ein Regen- und ein Windsensor sorgen für zusätzlichen Gebrauchskomfort.

Collaboration with Marilyn Offutt at Offutt Design. Tom Kessler Photography
Design ideas for a contemporary backyard patio in Omaha with a pergola.

Philippe Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary backyard deck in Calgary with a pergola.

Ami Saunders, MLA
Inspiration for a contemporary backyard patio in San Francisco with a pergola.

Peo Olsson
This is an example of a contemporary backyard patio in Malmo with decking and a pergola.

Architect: Lucid Architecture / Builder: Berghuis Construction
Photo of a contemporary patio in Grand Rapids with a fire feature, concrete pavers and no cover.

Large contemporary backyard patio in Barcelona with decking and a gazebo/cabana.

innov'tendance
This is an example of a contemporary pool in Grenoble.

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary backyard patio in Christchurch with a fire feature and a gazebo/cabana.

Design ideas for a large contemporary patio in Other with a pergola.

This shade arbor, located in The Woodlands, TX north of Houston, spans the entire length of the back yard. It combines a number of elements with custom structures that were constructed to emulate specific aspects of a Zen garden. The homeowner wanted a low-maintenance garden whose beauty could withstand the tough seasonal weather that strikes the area at various times of the year. He also desired a mood-altering aesthetic that would relax the senses and calm the mind. Most importantly, he wanted this meditative environment completely shielded from the outside world so he could find serenity in total privacy. The most unique design element in this entire project is the roof of the shade arbor itself. It features a “negative space” leaf pattern that was designed in a software suite and cut out of the metal with a water jet cutter. Each form in the pattern is loosely suggestive of either a leaf, or a cluster of leaves. These small, negative spaces cut from the metal are the source of the structure’ powerful visual and emotional impact. During the day, sunlight shines down and highlights columns, furniture, plantings, and gravel with a blend of dappling and shade that make you feel like you are sitting under the branches of a tree. At night, the effects are even more brilliant. Skillfully concealed lights mounted on the trusses reflect off the steel in places, while in other places they penetrate the negative spaces, cascading brilliant patterns of ambient light down on vegetation, hardscape, and water alike. The shade arbor shelters two gravel patios that are almost identical in space. The patio closest to the living room features a mini outdoor dining room, replete with tables and chairs. The patio is ornamented with a blend of ornamental grass, a small human figurine sculpture, and mid-level impact ground cover. Gravel was chosen as the preferred hardscape material because of its Zen-like connotations. It is also remarkably soft to walk on, helping to set the mood for a relaxed afternoon in the dappled shade of gently filtered sunlight. The second patio, spaced 15 feet away from the first, resides adjacent to the home at the opposite end of the shade arbor. Like its twin, it is also ornamented with ground cover borders, ornamental grasses, and a large urn identical to the first. Seating here is even more private and contemplative. Instead of a table and chairs, there is a large decorative concrete bench cut in the shape of a giant four-leaf clover. Spanning the distance between these two patios, a bluestone walkway connects the two spaces. Along the way, its borders are punctuated in places by low-level ornamental grasses, a large flowering bush, another sculpture in the form of human faces, and foxtail ferns that spring up from a spread of river rock that punctuates the ends of the walkway. The meditative quality of the shade arbor is reinforced by two special features. The first of these is a disappearing fountain that flows from the top of a large vertical stone embedded like a monolith in the other edges of the river rock. The drains and pumps to this fountain are carefully concealed underneath the covering of smooth stones, and the sound of the water is only barely perceptible, as if it is trying to force you to let go of your thoughts to hear it. A large piece of core-10 steel, which is deliberately intended to rust quickly, rises up like an arced wall from behind the fountain stone. The dark color of the metal helps the casual viewer catch just a glimpse of light reflecting off the slow trickle of water that runs down the side of the stone into the river rock bed. To complete the quiet moment that the shade arbor is intended to invoke, a thick wall of cypress trees rises up on all sides of the yard, completely shutting out the disturbances of the world with a comforting wall of living greenery that comforts the thoughts and emotions.

Photo of a contemporary backyard deck in San Diego with a pergola and a fire feature.

The pergola, above the uppermost horizontal 'strip' of cedar, is a bronze poly-carbonate, which allows light to come through, but which blocks UV rays and keeps out the rain. It's also available in clear, and a few more colors.

Inspiration for a large contemporary backyard formal garden in Paris with a container garden.

Martina Gemmola
Photo of a contemporary patio in Melbourne with natural stone pavers and a gazebo/cabana.

Inspiration for a contemporary backyard patio in Mexico City with a pergola.

Inspiration for a contemporary balcony in Other with a roof extension.