[photo credit: Loll Designs]
BUILD is wrapping up the design package for our creativeLIVE San Francisco project and we saved dessert for last. The project includes a 1,400 square foot rooftop deck where some serious sunshine and fun will be had after the long workdays ahead. In designing the outdoor lounge area, we’ve sorted through hundreds of outdoor furnishings and we’ve landed on a handful of solid finalists — just in time for summer. Rationale drove the selection process and we used a rigorous list of criteria for the selections. Here’s our top 10 decision-making factors:
Comfort
Availability
Cost-effectiveness
Exterior rated materials
Flexibility for layout and orientation
Agreement with the BUILD modern aesthetic
Capability to cover or protect them when not in use
Resistance to wear and tear based on commercial usage
Ability to stack, store and get the pieces out of the way when necessary
Last, but certainly not least, wicker-free furniture (ye olde wicker just doesn’t do it for us)
(And bonus points for furniture pieces that would look just as good indoors)
SEATING
For lounge sectionals that can create a cozy outdoor living room with clean lines we like the Casbah Seating from CB2.
We wanted something highly functional to complement the sectionals and maintain flexibility in the seating arrangements. We chose the Acapulco chairs because of their colorful accents and their ability to accommodate gatherings of different scales.
Cafe style chairs are always handy (both inside and out). We’re big fans of the playful Heller Bellini chairs which are very durable and also stackable.
To balance out the equation we threw in a handful of Salmela Taavi by Loll for the down-to-earth simplicity. This low-slung lounger just begs you to put some sandals on and kick back with a beer.
TABLES
For a simple, easy to move around design that matches the lounge furniture, we went with the Zuo Modern Golden Beach in gray. It’s everything it needs to be and nothing more.
ACCESSORIES
A 75′ extension of rectilinear zinc planter boxes becomes an important element to the deck design as it conceals the less than appealing rooftop elements and softens up the deck with a splash of greenery. These simple boxes do their job without taking attention away from the bamboo that will be growing in them.
For lighting, the plan is low maintenance and straight-forward. The Solar Buds by Luceplan offer way-finding on the deck and provide accent lighting to the planters — all without hardwiring.
For protection from that Californian sun, the Tuuci Hexagon Shade in aluminum by DWR is super-functional and sleek. It has a large coverage and looks stellar when it’s open.
That’s the short list from the BUILD research department. With summer quickly approaching, we’re looking forward to field testing this furniture — which may involve tipping back a few cold ones. Cheers from Team BUILD.