Recent studies show that Americans put a premium on spending time outside and will pay more for a home that provides access to the outdoors. But designing wide-open dwellings with lots of windows and doors and plentiful light and breezes presents special challenges for builders and architects.
Here, BUILDER presents eight homes with innovative floor plans that open up to outdoor spaces.
Rancho Santa Fe Retreat Offers Resort-Style Living
Inspired by the legacy of a local San Diego architect, Artesana offers open-air plans with a resort feel.
Maxwell MacKenzie
U-Shaped Plan Creates a Bright, Suburban Oasis
A Maryland home’s floor plan screens out the neighbors while creating private outdoor spaces.
Eric Figge
Coral Crest Home Takes in Pacific Views
Designed by Robert Hidey Architects for The New Home Co., the canyon-top home provides seamless ocean vistas.
Shay Velich
Resort-Like Home Enjoys Sweeping Vegas Views
The 6,600-square-foot estate can open almost entirely to the outdoors.
Courtesy the Rilington Group
Palm Springs Production Homes Come with Private Courtyards
Just blocks from downtown, Vallera is the lowest-priced new home community in Palm Springs.
Courtesy JFAK Architects
Santa Monica Project Facilitates Indoor/Outdoor Living
Designed by JFAK architects, 19 coastal-inspired condos capture views, daylight, and ocean breezes.
Taggart Sorensen
Beach House Takes Indoor/Outdoor Living to a New Level
The low-lying, zero-energy vacation home is ready for whatever Mother Nature throws at it.
Courtesy Lexington Homes
Chicago Builder Looks Up for Urban Outdoor Spaces
Private rooftop deck spaces are a big draw for city-loving home buyers, says Lexington Homes principal.
