While 30,000 feet in the sky this month, passengers of Alaska Airlines flights will be able to learn about a home design trend that is gracing residences from Danzante Bay, Mexico to Seattle, Washington: a fusion of in and outdoor living spaces. The March 2018 edition of Alaska Beyond magazine looks at examples in JayMarc Homes, Danzante Bay at the Islands of Loreto, and NEXUS Condominiums in the Emerald City.
The feature describes that, “as people lead ever busier lives, and space is at more of a premium, homeowners are turning to architects and designers to help connect their interior and exterior living spaces in a seamless, easy-to-use way.” This means moving far beyond a sliding glass door and patio, and into alfresco dining, room extensions, and maximizing square feet.
“We are really seeing a blurring of lines between the kitchen, living room and outdoor spaces,” Dean Jones, President & CEO of Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty, tells Alaska Beyond. Innovative outdoor areas “create social opportunities – you’re providing an environment for people to relax and enjoy each other’s company,” he adds.
Dining Alfresco
JayMarc Homes, a luxury home builder specializing in new home construction and custom homes on the Eastside, has long embraced the alfresco trend, as president Marc Rousso says that in the Pacific Northwest’s climate, “people really like built-in barbecue stations with sinks and storage that complement the seating area.” Not only are these a great addition to enjoy, they also add to the resale value of a property.
Room Extension
Sliding doors and walls of windows have proven an excellent way to bring the indoors together with nature, and one shining example may be found in new homeownership opportunities in Danzante Bay at the Islands of Loreto. “Luxury villas designed by Arizona-based architect Kevin B. Howard have a contemporary Baja style, with double-height ceilings and expansive walls of glass that open to stunning views.”
“It’s drawing off the Polynesian sensibility of the lanai as part of the home, as a place of gathering,” Jones adds.
The Danzante Bay homes are priced from $300,000 to $6.9 million
Maximizing Square Footage
Many developers of new condominium towers have elected to build communal spaces with “ample shared amenities such as rooftop decks, dog rungs, gyms and communal spaces with outdoor kitchens” that allow for all of the building’s residents to enjoy views, rather than restrict them to penthouses to be enjoyed by a select few. The article points to the highly anticipated NEXUS Condominiums, which are scheduled to open next year. They will offer a Sky Parlor that includes “a covered exterior living room with landscaped lounge areas, a fire pit and an outdoor media screen.”
The NEXUS Sky Parlor will create an indoor/outdoor space to be enjoyed by residents of all 389 units.