We have all experienced that feeling.
We arrive at a house, a restaurant or a hotel and, almost without noticing, we choose a particular table. There is something about that corner that we find pleasing. We sit down, the conversation flows and time seems to slow down. Yet in other places, the exact opposite happens. The space is attractive, even perfectly decorated, but after a few minutes we feel the urge to move on. Why? The answer rarely lies in the furniture.
The secret usually lies in what we cannot see
Orientation to the sun, the presence of shade, vegetation, sound, the distance between tables or the way air circulates all have far more influence than we might imagine.
Nature also designs
A well-positioned tree can lower the temperature of a terrace by several degrees during the warmest months. Vegetation creates shade, humidity, privacy and a sense of shelter that transforms the experience.
It does not all depend on size
A well-proportioned courtyard designed for daily use can feel far more welcoming than a large open space with no resting areas or protection from the sun.
Designing to live, not just to look at
The finest spaces are not those that receive the most photographs. They are the ones you find it hard to leave.
