Design Alfresco Challenge: Outdoor Spaces Panel at Design San Francisco
Taking the stage at Design San Francisco 2025 on March 12th at the San Francisco Design Center Galleria, I was energized to share my approach to the "Design Alfresco: Outdoor Spaces Challenge." Alongside my talented colleagues Brad Krefman and Amy Weaver, with Mary Jo Bowling of Luxe Magazine guiding our conversation, I presented how my team at Lane McNab Interiors addresses the distinctive challenges of connecting interior and exterior spaces in our beloved Bay Area.
Design San Francisco: A Platform for Innovation
Design San Francisco has established itself as the premier design event in Northern California, bringing together the region's most innovative designers, architects, and industry professionals. This three-day San Francisco Design Center gathering featured exclusive programming, new product showcases, and educational panels.
For the "Design Alfresco: Outdoor Spaces Challenge," the organizers asked each participating designer to create an outdoor living environment without restrictions. This freedom allowed us to push beyond conventional boundaries and demonstrate what's possible when imagination meets expertise. Being selected to participate alongside such respected colleagues allowed me to showcase LMI’s approach to the indoor-outdoor lifestyle that defines Bay Area living.
Rendered view of the exterior setting, seen from the inside
Blurring the Line Between Indoor and Outdoor Living
For this challenge, I focused on crafting an outdoor space that dissolved the boundary between inside and out—essentially designing a room that happens to exist outside. Throughout my years of practice, I've observed how valuable this extension of living space becomes for my East Bay clients, who treasure their outdoor areas for both quiet moments and lively gatherings.
My team frequently transforms neglected outdoor spaces into natural extensions of the home, effectively expanding the functional square footage while preserving that essential connection to nature that makes a living in our region so extraordinary.
Bird's-eye rendered view of the project's indoor and outdoor spaces
Responding to Bay Area Microclimates
The Bay Area's unique climate patterns directly influence my design decisions. Many East Bay properties face west toward San Francisco and the bay, receiving abundant western sunshine but also exposure to fog and weather patterns. These regional characteristics shape every outdoor project we undertake.
For the challenge, I incorporated strategic architectural elements to manage light, weather, and temperature fluctuations. The structure I created essentially functions as a room with three walls, a floor, and a ceiling, remaining open to the west. This configuration offers protection while showcasing those breathtaking views that make properties in Oakland and Berkeley so coveted.
Real-life photos of unfurnished spaces alongside design renderings
Architectural Innovations for Fluid Transitions
The Z-shaped roofline became the defining feature of my design, serving several crucial functions. From the street view, the home presents a modest, appropriately scaled exterior that harmonizes with the neighborhood. Yet when entering, the angled section of the Z draws you naturally through the living area and directs your gaze toward the spectacular vista beyond the deck.
The horizontal section of the Z forms a sheltering canopy over the deck, creating what I think of as an outdoor cove—a space that feels protected and intimate. This sense of shelter is especially valuable in our Bay Area climate, where afternoon winds and fog are common companions.
For clients renovating homes throughout Oakland, Berkeley, and surrounding communities, consider a cantilevered deck when conditions permit. This approach eliminates the need for supportive structures underneath that would otherwise consume usable space. It works particularly well during comprehensive renovations when we can integrate those supporting joists directly into the interior floor system, allowing them to extend outward to support the deck.
Eliminating Thresholds for Psychological Continuity
The completely level transition between indoor and outdoor spaces remains one of my favorite elements of this design. This seemingly small detail profoundly impacts how we experience the space. When moving from inside to outside, even a minor step up or down immediately signals to our minds that we're crossing into a different environment.
By removing this physical demarcation, I create a psychological continuity between spaces. Without that subtle cue, your brain doesn't register the transition. This technique proves especially valuable for compact San Francisco residences where maximizing the perception of space transforms the living experience.
Rendered view of the interior and exterior setting, seen from the outside
Advanced Materials for Bay Area Conditions
Today's remarkable outdoor materials have revolutionized my design practice. The textile industry now offers outdoor velvets, linens, and performance fabrics that withstand the elements while maintaining the sophistication of interior furnishings. These innovations allow me to craft refined outdoor environments that handle San Francisco's misty mornings, Berkeley's temperature shifts, and Oakland's sun-drenched afternoons.
For this project, I selected flooring materials that established visual flow while enduring outdoor exposure. Incorporating transitional drapery between zones provided essential light management, particularly helpful in controlling the intense western sun that floods into many Bay Area homes.
Ensuring Year-Round Enjoyment
Understanding the Bay Area's changeable climate led me to incorporate several features ensuring comfortable use throughout the seasons. My team has actually tested this approach during rainstorms—standing on the deck while remaining perfectly dry and sheltered demonstrates the effectiveness of the design.
For those characteristic evening temperature drops we experience, I recommend incorporating thoughtful heating elements. Beyond the classic fire pit that's become a staple in Bay Area outdoor design, I'm intrigued by heated furniture options. I first encountered Galanter & Jones pieces years ago when they were just launching their business, and their approach to outdoor comfort continues to impress me.
Creating Functional Outdoor Zones
Rather than designing a generic outdoor area, my team establishes purposeful zones extending the function of adjacent interior rooms. For the challenge, I expanded the living room and dining areas onto their corresponding deck sections, effectively doubling those spaces while maintaining their distinct purposes.
This zoning philosophy establishes intuitive flow patterns that encourage our clients to fully utilize their outdoor environments, whether hosting dinner parties or enjoying morning coffee with a view.
To enhance the outdoor experience further, I included entertainment features that draw people outside. Since the living room lacked a television (the media center was located downstairs), I proposed installing a projector and outdoor screen on the deck—a feature that transforms the space into an al fresco cinema on warm evenings.
A Personal Approach to Bay Area Design
My "Beyond Walls" project embodies my philosophy about dissolving boundaries between inside and out. I strive to design homes that respond to their surroundings and enhance daily living through thoughtful architecture and design. For my Bay Area clients seeking to maximize their living environments, this approach delivers both beauty and practical functionality.
Whether preserving a historic Berkeley Craftsman, reimagining an Oakland Hills mid-century, or updating a classic San Francisco Victorian, I always consider how the home connects with its outdoor setting. Through carefully selected architectural elements, materials, and furnishings, I work to create harmonious environments attuned to the distinctive Bay Area lifestyle that makes this region so unique