That is a very good question:

1. As we had budget constraints for this project, the clients and us decided on keeping some appliances in certain locations as they were prior to the project to help stay under budget (which we did, relocating them would entail electrical re routing, new water lines, gas lines etc.).

2. This is a double door fridge so only half the width opens to that location, practicality wise this actually works very well.

I can see that, but the fridge could have been relocated to right of the exit door on the exterior wall!

Unfortunately it couldn't for space and depth constraints. The depth there is 16".

Thank you for posting this. This is my exact dilemma (but I have a single door refrigerator). My garage door bangs into the refrigerator whenever a kid enters from there. It appears as though the exterior opens outward. Is that correct? We have considered reversing our door to do this since there is another exit nearby (and then reversing it back when we move). Thank you for the information.

Answered my own question. Exterior doors can swing either way. The door to exiting the garage must swing onward unless there is a landing greater than 3x3 with approximately less than a 1 inch step down.