Summer Outside: Designing Outdoor Spaces that Bring People Together
TURNING COURTYARDS AND TERRACES INTO COMMUNITY ASSETS
Summer in the UK has a unique energy. Longer evenings, lighter skies, and the buzz of social life spilling outdoors set the tone for how we spend our days. Whether it’s a guest enjoying a weekend break or a resident returning home after work, well-designed outdoor areas become the backdrop for time shared and memories made.
These spaces aren’t just decorative touches. They’re part of the everyday experience, shaping how people connect, how they feel about where they stay or live, and ultimately, how a place is valued.
OUTDOOR DESIGN WITH PURPOSE
A great outdoor space does more than look appealing. It invites people to pause, meet, and make the most of their surroundings. In hospitality, that might mean a terrace that extends the dining experience beyond the restaurant. In Build to Rent, it could be a courtyard where neighbours strike up conversations or simply a calm spot to pause after a busy day.
The impact is clear. A recent UK guide found that pubs, cafes, and restaurants that invested in outdoor seating saw sales uplifts of 15%–25%, with some reporting increases of up to 30% (Pinksand Architectural). In the BTR sector, 75% of schemes now include a shared garden or roof terrace, making it the most common amenity offering (British Property Federation).
When design balances comfort, practicality, and atmosphere, these areas move from being “extras” to becoming part of everyday life, spaces that people return to again and again.
The Feathers Hotel: Extending Hospitality Outdoors
In Woodstock, the Feathers Hotel makes the most of its setting with a terrace that flows directly from The Aviary Bar. Through summer, it becomes a natural gathering point, a spot where locals and guests can share a relaxed lunch or raise a glass as the evening light settles over the town.
The terrace feels like an extension of the hotel’s character: relaxed, welcoming, and rooted in its setting. By blending atmosphere with comfort, it captures what makes outdoor hospitality special in the summer months: experiences that feel both effortless and memorable.
Dolphin Square: Outdoor Living for Everyday Life
At Dolphin Square, outdoor design supports more than leisure, it’s part of how residents experience the building every day. The first‑floor Terrace Bar & Café creates a natural focal point, giving residents a place to start the day with coffee, meet friends after work, or enjoy a relaxed evening outdoors without leaving home.
Unlike hospitality settings, where a terrace might frame a stay, here it becomes part of daily life. By combining comfort, greenery, and social atmosphere, the design gives residents both convenience and connection, a balance that makes shared spaces in BTR developments so valuable.
For those shaping future developments, these examples show how outdoor design can work as both an amenity and a driver of long‑term value. As summer reminds us, the best outdoor areas are places where people gather, connect, and return to again and again.
If you’re exploring how to bring outdoor living into your next project, we’d love to talk, get in touch with our team.