London Design Build is a Seattle-based design-build firm founded in 2005 by Ben Middlemiss, whose background in engineering and architectural design, sharpened by his studies at the University of Exeter in the UK, shapes the way his team approaches every project. For nearly two decades, London Design Build has served homeowners throughout Seattle and the Eastside, building an award-winning practice around three guiding principles: creativity, communication, and care. Read on to discover how Ben thinks about the evolution of outdoor living in the Pacific Northwest, what today’s luxury clients expect, and why Infratech heaters have become a mainstay in the outdoor spaces his team designs and builds.
What trends have you noticed overall in outdoor living?
Outdoor living spaces are becoming far more complete and self-sufficient. With the arrival of high-quality outdoor cabinetry and specialized appliances, homeowners are looking beyond the traditional built-in grill. Outdoor kitchens now commonly include refrigerators, ice makers, pizza ovens, side burners and extensive preparation space.
This allows cooking to become a genuinely social experience. One person might be grilling marinated chicken while someone else prepares additional dishes such as a risotto or sautéed potatoes, without either having to leave the party. Everything can be prepared in advance, stored in the outdoor refrigerator and kept close at hand.
In the Pacific Northwest, a covered area is essential for extending the use of an outdoor space throughout the seasons. We build elaborate custom roof structures, but aluminum louvered pergolas have also become an excellent solution. They can remain open to provide sunlight and a view of the sky, create shade when needed, or close the louvers to keep everyone dry during the inevitable unplanned rain shower.
Of course, heat is equally important. Electric infrared heaters provide comfortable, targeted warmth and make these spaces usable for far more of the year.
Low-maintenance materials are also a high priority. Powder-coated aluminum structures, stainless steel outdoor cabinetry and PVC decking are becoming increasingly popular because they require less upkeep than traditional patios, which can quickly attract moss and weeds in our climate.
What outdoor features do your customers look for most when building a luxury home?
Our clients increasingly want a complete outdoor kitchen: a true second culinary space rather than simply a grill and countertop.
Covered living areas are also a priority, particularly in the Pacific Northwest, where protection from the weather makes the space far more usable. Fireplaces, infrared heaters and televisions are frequently requested as well, creating a comfortable setting for movie nights, sporting events, entertaining or simply relaxing with family.
Ultimately, homeowners want an outdoor space that feels like a natural extension of the house, with the same level of comfort, functionality and attention to detail as the interior.
How important is smart home integration to your customers?
Smart home integration is increasingly important because it makes outdoor spaces so much easier to use. Being able to control the heaters, lighting, music and television from a phone or a single control system adds convenience and helps create the right atmosphere almost instantly.
It also does not have to be prohibitively expensive. There are now many cost-conscious solutions available for homeowners who want smart functionality without committing a large portion of the budget to one of the major high-cost systems.
What do you like most about using Infratech heaters in your builds?
Infratech heaters are the simplest, most effective and most reliable way we have found to provide zoned, variable heat throughout our outdoor living spaces.
In approximately 20 years of installing outdoor heaters, we have not found another manufacturer that delivers the same combination of comfort, control and ease of installation. Their straightforward design contributes to their reliability, and they look great as well.
The range of mounting options and sleek, slimline profiles gives us considerable design flexibility. Depending on the project, the heaters can become a deliberate architectural feature or remain a discreet, unobtrusive and highly practical part of the space.
What advice would you give homeowners who are just beginning to think about their outdoor living spaces?
Think of outdoor living as an opportunity to genuinely extend your home. A well-designed space should include everything you need to enjoy it independently, whether you are entertaining a large group or spending a quiet evening with family.
An outdoor living area can allow you to host gatherings that might feel impractical inside the house. It is more relaxed, accommodates more people and is generally much easier to clean afterward.
The design should reflect how you actually want to use the space. Not everyone needs a full outdoor kitchen. You may prefer a cozy seating area around a fire pit, a comfortable place to watch late-night movies in front of a fireplace, or a peaceful retreat designed to capture a beautiful view.
Begin by thinking about what you would want within easy reach and what would encourage you to use the space regularly. Then make sure it can be enjoyed throughout the year by incorporating appropriate weather protection, infrared heating and lighting from the outset.