design et al are delighted to announce that Ryan Hughes Design Build have been shortlisted for Residential Swimming Pool Award in The International Design and Architecture Awards 2017.
A seemingly floating circular fire-side lounge grew into a creatively complex yet cohesive outdoor design. Architectural elements with fire and water features, custom textures and state of the art audio visual and kitchen were included in the Big Time Outdoor Living Space Project. Packing a powerful ‘wow’ factor, the Big Time Outdoor design from Ryan Hughes Design Build transformed a South Florida home’s outdoor space into something not only beyond expectations; but beyond imagination. From an initial request for a seemingly floating circular fire-side lounge, designer, Ryan Hughes, drafted a creatively complex, yet calmly cohesive outdoor design. Incorporating architectural elements with fanciful fire and water features or custom textures with state of the art audio visual.
A functional flow was achieved by the Ryan Hughes Team within the project’s nearly 5,000 square feet of outdoor space. The path into the pool surrounded circular fire pit provides the perfect vantage point for taking in all the well-appointed areas and outdoor rooms. Natural plantings are utilised to soften the hardscapes and add colourful interest throughout the project. Well appointed, but unconfined, the outdoor rooms included at the epicentre beckons guests from the moment they enter the home’s front door. A dining area and bar with modern seating and a stainless outdoor kitchen is surrounded by textural elements as well as natural Ipe hardwood.
The dramatic outdoor entertainment lounge was designed with custom sight and sound built within the wall covered with four 50 inch televisions. This audio-visual wall, cladded with Norstone stone veneer and glass tile, flows into an adjacent hearth area. Additional lounging and deck areas, a spa and natural plantings accomplish a complete outdoor story. No area within this Ryan Hughes designed outdoor space is without interest elements including the walkway to the spa. In this space, water and fire, tile and stone, light and sound come together and create a haven for relaxation. And that is before one enters the spa.
Along the architectural wall, three Grand Effect fire Candeliers and three stainless steel scuppers are placed within tiled niches featuring 4” precast concrete moulding, each one a work of art. The 9.5’ square spa is surrounded by a 12’ raised perimeter overflow cladded with lightstream glass tile. Warming waters are further enjoyed with an open window element that brings the home’s beautifully landscaped exterior into close view. Situated below towering palms on a tumbled travertine paver deck is a beautiful pool-side lounging area. Whether enjoyed by day or night, the area’s appointments include multiple contemporary chaise lounges against a textural Norstone stone wall. Following the overall project’s circular theme, a 4’ diameter round window opening within the lounge area wall offers a view into an outdoor hearth and sculpture hide away.
Every great outdoor design begins with a focus on the needs of the client and their lifestyle. Elements for relaxation and gathering are incorporated then through efficient space and use planning. Specific elements can include water and fire features from resort-style pools and spas to water walls or fire pits to torches. Landscaping and lighting as well as seating, outdoor kitchens or the latest in technology are all addressed within a successful outdoor design. Within this project, as well as within all their projects, it is not one singular element; but through a complexity of elements, the ability to design exactly the space envisioned by the client. Here, the use of monochromatic black, grey and white surfaces created impact through a complexity of textures; but with calming neutrality. But, when the sun goes down, the wow can be turned up via iridescent tiles that glisten and shine with creative lighting.
In creating the WOW that is found in this project, the homeowner asked for a soothing and neutral colour palette that would exist in harmony with its natural setting. Ryan Hughes Design Build accomplished this by simultaneously using impactful architectural elements dressed in creative natural surface materials and textures while allowing landscape elements to enhance each ‘room’. As founder and creative director for Ryan Hughes Design Build, Ryan Hughes has become a much sought-after expert for his imaginative and innovative designs and over-the-top integration of materials and methods for luxurious outdoor living. Media concerns in the US and internationally look to Ryan as a voice and influencer for the industry and an artist in defining the “wow” for exterior designs.
