GRAPHĒ: An Alaskan Showhome Embraces Outdoor Living Through Cleverly Designed "Zones"

In Juneau, sleek outdoor heating solutions complement—rather than compromise—the architectural vision of Bauer/Clifton Interiors.

Juneau, Alaska, is one of the country’s most beautiful capital cities, with a temperate rainforest landscape that is spectacular to take in through all the seasons. Bauer/Clifton Interiors recently transformed a 1960s home in the area into an architectural show space, driven by the need to figure out a way to enjoy the setting on a winter day as much as a chilly summer evening.

The star of the project is the impressive outdoor decking area that keeps the weather at bay without compromising the design vision—namely sleek surface-mounted heating units paired with a sculptural concrete fire pit.

The Bromic products have been tailored to heat each zone—living, dining, and grilling—effectively throughout the year. The sleek design of the surface-mounted heaters blends seamlessly with the home.

Photo: Bromic Heating

The vision from the outset was to create a seamless flow between dedicated living, dining, kitchen, and spa areas for a resort-like feel. To achieve this ambitious vision, it was necessary to extend the decking without impacting the mature trees on the site. The result is an expansive arrangement of outdoor zones split over three levels—an upper deck, the grill zone, and a dining, lounge, and spa area—all connected by stairs.

The upper deck offers views over the landscape and connects the kitchen with the outdoor grilling zone via a short set of stairs. This outdoor kitchen can also be accessed from the garage, which houses additional kitchen storage.

The home is surrounded by the natural beauty of Juneau. "Privacy and sightlines are key considerations when designing outdoor spaces," says Jason Clifton, principal designer at Bauer/Clifton Interiors. "We incorporated a mix of railing styles for this deck, including a privacy wall screen and more transparent railings in areas where privacy wasn’t needed, so the design feels cohesive and intentional."

Photo: Bromic Heating

The spa area is nestled below the upper deck, and Bauer/Clifton Interiors created a waterproof ceiling to allow the residents to immerse themselves outdoors—even in heavy rain or snow. Finally, the placement of the living and dining zones, which connect to the outdoor grill area for ease of entertaining, was dictated by where the largest deck platform could be installed within the trees.

This home is perched on a mountainside, so it was imperative the hardscape design incorporated natural elements like rock retaining walls and stacked rock steps throughout the backyard, all surrounding the deck cantilevered over the sloping edge. Whereas the landscape design features a combination of indigenous plants, perennials, and seasonal blooms, and is bordered by beautiful hemlock and spruce trees that are pruned to maintain the view.