Designing Outdoor Living Spaces:
Integrating Fire and Radiant Heat
Commercial or residential, if you can dream it, we can build it.
By Riley McGovern | March 20, 2026
Demand for outdoor living spaces has skyrocketed since 2020. In residential design, bringing the indoors out has moved beyond a fleeting trend to an industry standard. Now outdoor living spaces are the highest demanded feature in residential design for 2026.
The National Association of Home Builders shared that 63.7% of new single-family homes included patios. According to the National Association of Realtors’ Remodeling Impact Report, outdoor kitchens carry a 100% return on investment. The value potential only starts there, and the industry as a whole has taken note.
From restaurants and hospitality terraces to multifamily amenities and mixed-use developments, the industry is responding to a generation that has experienced the value of time spent outside. With support from WELL Building Standard and LEED, two of the world’s most recognized building certification standards, designing for human connection to the outdoors is now an expectation.
The 2025 release of LEED v5 formally recognizes biophilic design and brought “Designing with Nature” into the core rating system for the LEED certification. Whether a custom home or a commercial development, the outdoor space is now part of the conversation.
Heatstrip® Wall Mounted Natural Gas Heater | heatstrip.com
Design with Nature
Fire is one of nature’s most impactful design elements. It anchors a space, extends a season, and brings people together. This magnetic effect is rooted in biophilic design: weaving natural elements into the built environment creates an undeniable connection to nature. The right combination of fire and heat will make that possible in every project, indoors and out.
“Whether residential or commercial, builders and specifiers require flexibility to meet the demands of the project. What they’re creating are outdoor environments designed to bring people together and be enjoyed well beyond a single season.”
— Joe Mancini | Earthcore Industries | Architectural Consultant
Pro Series Burner | firegearoutdoors.com
Creating a Complete Ecosystem
The most impactful outdoor spaces are planned as complete environments, not a collection of disconnected features. The goal is a thoughtful balance of design and functionality.
Fire brings both.
Fireplaces serve as the heart of any project, creating connection that fosters lasting memories. Fire features extend that sense of warmth throughout the space, helping define additional social areas. Radiant heat adds another layer of comfort, keeping the space enjoyable year-round.
When these elements are planned together, outdoor environments become more than seasonal amenities. They become fully realized spaces that support gathering, dining, and connection across a wide range of project types—from residential patios to hospitality terraces and multifamily amenities.
Earthcore's Edit
Explore Earthcore’s outdoor living collection and find your flame:
Isokern’s Custom Vent Free Fireplace
Custom Fireplaces |
If you can dream it, Isokern can build it. Offering design freedom through its modular masonry structure, Isokern fireplaces anchor outdoor living spaces with the kind of presence that commands attention. Constructed using pure Icelandic Pumice, these models are engineered to provide reliability, durability, and efficiency. |
Firegear’s Lume insert & Surround
Fire Bowl |
This contemporary fire feature offers the warmth of a wood fire in a sleek design. Firegear’s Lume is a smokeless wood-burning insert housed in a weather-resistant GFRC enclosure. This offers a real fire experience that fits in a modern outdoor design. |
Heatstrip’s Classic 3000
Radiant Electric Heaters |
Achieve comfort without compromise with HEATSTRIP’s award-winning collection of radiant electric heaters. Mountable on ceilings, walls, and structures using infrared technology, it is created to disappear into your design. HEATSTRIP products deliver unwavering, targeted heat that extends outdoor living into every season. |
Written by Riley McGovern
