Winter on the deck

Making use of what would otherwise be a dead space, this deck boosts the functionality of the void created by the overhang of the bedrooms situated directly above.

Architect Tim Gittos says this area was orientated correctly to capture the sun all the way to the back in winter, while keeping out rain.

“You have to come through this space to access the house, so it made perfect sense to make it usable and central to how the house operates,” he says.

“We created an informal hub, with a large wood-burning fireplace and a contrasting timber finish.

“Large-scale furniture, in-built joinery and soft furnishings attract everyone to the space.”

There were a number of competing elements in this backyard space, so creating a lounge area relied on clever ideas and planning.

Landscape designer Dean Herald says the architectural treatment of the interior can easily inform the exterior.

“Sunken areas draw people in and create a defined zone, so we used that idea here,” he said.

“Altering the level gives it a separate identity and means large furniture sits in the space rather than on it, which can be jarring.

“Fires naturally draw people together, and a wood-burning fire has an intense heat that makes the outdoor space appealing.”

A fixed structure over the deck, such as a pergola or an awning, can mean that not enough light is received into the space, which makes it cold and uninviting in winter.

A flexible opening and closing louvre structure, such as those from Vergola, provides the ability to let in the winter sun and keep out the rain.

Vergola general manager Peter Rust says there is nothing better suited to the Australian climate for continuous comfort on the deck.

“Making a product adjustable for year-round conditions means that not only is the deck area a fully functional space, but it also helps control the heat and light inside the house,” he says.

This Christchurch home was designed in an L-shape around an east-facing courtyard, which is the direction of the prevailing cold winds in the city. Architect Cymon Allfrey took full advantage of the established garden to create a protected courtyard deck that can be used even in the cool months. “The trees and plants make an effective windbreak, but then there is the issue of blocking the western afternoon light and warmth,” he says. “The solution was to leave the west side of the house clear to let light and heat through, and make the deck wider on the east side to extend out of the shadow of the house and allow the area to catch more sun.”