October 20, 2022

On this week’s From the Tap podcast, I am welcoming Brian Brown, principal of Brian Brown Studio in San Diego, California. We discussed a residential design element that’s essential in his endless-summer market – outdoor spaces.

Our conversation began with Brown explaining how he is inspired by the relationship between the natural and the built environments. By maximizing the visual and physical links between the two, he can create casual, liveable, and functional places that reflect his clients’ lifestyles.

Brown talks about the various types of outdoor spaces – patios, ground-level decks, covered rooms, roof decks and others – and highlights their specific advantages and disadvantages. He points out that homeowners are increasing inclined to cede open-space yards and lawns for some sort of designed structure. This is particularly true in locations that experiencing drought.

Then the designer zeros in on outdoor kitchens. Brown identifies the appointments that are most in demand, from refrigerators, sinks and grills to more specialized appliances like pizza ovens and smokers. He puts these features in perspective with some important mechanical systems as well, such as drainage, lighting and utility lines.

Brown wraps up the podcast with some insights on design elements that go beyond the kitchen. In addition to discussing seating options and shading devices for outdoor spaces, he talks about the trends in connections between the home and the outdoors. Retractable/telescoping doors, sliders, pass-through windows and overhead garage-type doors are some of the access products.

Watch the full video above or listen to the podcast on Spotify, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Pandora and other outlets.

By Chelsie Butler, KBB Executive Editor