In residential design, the interplay of light and materiality is transforming outdoor spaces. We sat down with Sally Evans, Director of Graphic Design + Product Development at Nexus Designs, for insights into how they’re shaping the future of outdoor living in Australia.
What role do you and your team play in shaping outdoor residential spaces in Australia?
Our team works behind the scenes in material development and product design, helping to create the ranges that architects and designers use to realise their builds. We’re constantly analysing factors that impact construction methods and anticipating what Australians will desire from their homes.
A key focus in residential design is enabling a connection to the outdoors. This enhances living experiences through interaction with natural light, fresh air, and plants. This concept, often referred to as biophilic design, has been a growing trend for the past decade.
Australia has long embraced indoor/outdoor living, and the spaces we design to facilitate this are continually evolving. We’ve moved beyond simple balconies or backyards to more integrated outdoor living spaces. In multi-residential developments, we’re seeing substantial covered balconies that function as small outdoor rooms, with significant consideration given to shared outdoor spaces. In homes, livable spaces are being expanded through the addition of alfresco spaces realised through pergolas, patios, decking, and roofline extensions that create outdoor rooms seamlessly connected to internal living areas.
What are the key considerations in terms of materiality for indoor vs outdoor spaces?
The primary distinction between interior and exterior products lies in weather-related durability. While interior products do need to be durable for daily use, they aren’t exposed to harsh weather conditions like those used outdoors.
Exterior products are inherently more solid and hard-wearing, with much of their beauty coming from the intrinsic nature of the material itself, such as bricks, stone, and timber. Colour plays a significant role in exterior materiality, often because there’s such a large expanse on display. However, the surface finish is equally, if not more, important.
The interaction of light with surfaces is a crucial consideration. Outdoors, you can only manipulate natural light through form, structures like eaves, trellis, walls, and tree planting. You can’t place or control light as much as you might indoors, so it’s essential to think about how it will interact with your space and chosen materials.
Glossy surfaces reflect light, which may be beneficial for illuminating a space but could also create unwanted glare. Matte surfaces still reflect light but it is significantly diffused, creating a softer appearance. More organic, tactile surfaces like brick, timber, or textiles can reduce the harshness of any hard light or glare as their surface texture reduces reflection.
Creating a successful link between indoor and outdoor spaces is influenced by the relationship between the materials used. This can be achieved through contrast, clearly delineating different spaces, or through seamless integration for a smooth connection.
How does Nexus Designs factor Australia’s unique light and landscape into its approach to materiality for outdoor spaces?
We always strive to respect the environments we build in, whether urban, regional, or coastal. We consider that our products will become an intrinsic part of the built form and fabric of this country. Therefore, they need to be authentic to the landscapes and light, offering architects and designers products they can use with integrity to respect and celebrate our beautiful places.
Our approach involves thinking about human behaviour, client needs, and how spaces are used. We aim to improve the way people interact with and get the best out of their spaces. This naturally leads to considerations of light. By harnessing as much natural light as possible in a build and following it as it shifts throughout the day, we can make spaces relate more to their location and potentially improve general wellness.
Landscaping is also crucial. Even for those unfamiliar with gardening, making an effort to reinstate elements of the natural and organic is vital to connect the building back to the land it’s on. Carefully curated planting can also filter light, help to lower heat absorption, and absorb carbon dioxide.
What role does artificial lighting play in the design of outdoor spaces?
The importance of creating an indoor/outdoor connection doesn’t end when the sun goes down. Unlit outdoor areas become visual black holes and make windows forbidding and cold. We are interested in creating longer views and extending the living experience into the far reaches of private gardens with the judicious use of lighting.
Lighting outdoor spaces can completely transform them from their welcoming daytime mode into something more dramatic and atmospheric. Subtle lighting of tree trunks can create beautiful shadows and discreet lighting leading from the front gate to the front door enhances the entry experience for everyone.
Lighting built form can emphasise the materiality and colour in different ways and allows colour and texture to be richer and more defined.
Can you tell us about any products for outdoor residential spaces you have shaped the design of? How has your work informed how they consider light, shadow, and atmosphere?
One significant project we’ve been involved with for many years is shaping the COLORBOND® steel colour palette. We advised on and curated the introduction of the Matt palette, and in the most recent update to the core range, we recommended three new light colors — one additional white and two new greys. This has significantly expanded the choice of colours available across Australia for light roofs, which will influence both aesthetics and thermal performance of residential and commercial builds.
Another notable collaboration has been with CSR’s PGH Bricks and Pavers, where we’ve curated distinct exterior palettes to inspire homeowners. These carefully crafted material palettes encompass bricks of various shades and textures, chosen to reflect contemporary trends while maintaining a timeless aesthetic. A dark and moody palette incorporates dramatic charcoal greys and deep ocean shades, playing with light absorption and reflection to create bold, atmospheric exteriors. Whereas, a more sophisticated neutral palette offers a refined mix of crisp whites and cool greys, designed to interact with natural light in a way that enhances architectural forms and creates a sense of spaciousness.
How is climate change and the increase in frequency of extreme weather events affecting the development of products for outdoor residential spaces?*
Climate change has shifted our focus from mere durability to enhanced thermal performance and energy efficiency. While Australia’s harsh weather, particularly intense sunlight, has always demanded robust materials, we’re now prioritising ‘cool roof’ solutions and sustainable expectations through material intelligence. Manufacturers are developing products that not only withstand extreme weather but also contribute to overall energy efficiency and are environmentally conscious in their production. This includes materials that reflect more sunlight, reduce heat absorption, and can endure higher temperatures, increased rainfall, and more frequent storms.
About Nexus Designs
For more than 50 years, Nexus Designs has delivered distinctive, enduring, and personal outcomes at the forefront of Australian design. Founded as a multi-disciplinary studio, Nexus Designs transcends categories and convention to elevate interiors, product design and visual communications and influence the lives and homes of contemporary Australia.
