The Cochrans have a typical mid-century modern home with a large rear garden. They had a swimming pool built for them a few years ago featuring a dated pool tile and a slate pool deck, which extended up to the veranda. The big problem with slate is that it chips and peels, and also gets quite hot which could possibly burn the feet of their young child.

Our charge was to create an outdoor room that could be used year around with a modern look, but not too modern with materials that would not go out of style. The primary consideration is for safety for the young one, but here is the caveat, 'we want fire'.

We chose to design a solid roof structure that was modern looking but using more rustic materials to keep it more in tune with the mid-century modern look. There are only two supports which allows the space to feel much more open and to give the roof the a feel like it is floating. The angle of the top provides plenty of shade in the hot months and promotes air flow and as a bonus exposes the cedar underneath to be viewed from the interior of the home. Lights and fans allow the space to be used year around, night or day.