We are in that time of year when switching on an oven can be torture and we avoid it at all costs. But the bright side of the heat is broader than the downside: it is part of our climate, it sets our rhythm, character and way of life. It pushes us to enjoy the open air and, in turn, to socialise.
And it is precisely when the heat takes centre stage that many households discover a recurring, almost instinctive desire to cook outside.
We are not talking about improvising a barbecue on the terrace. We are talking about moving the kitchen outdoors with all its functional dignity. Doing it properly. With guarantees. With design. And without giving anything up.
Designing for the heat, not against it
At Novara, we do not see outdoor kitchens as simplified versions of indoor ones. On the contrary, we understand that cooking outside demands a different kind of precision: materials that can withstand the elements, finishes that do not deteriorate in the sun, structures that stay stable over the years.
Resilience is not an extra: it is the foundation. Because when the temperature rises, everything else depends on it.
A well-placed kitchen is half the solution
But not everything is solved by materials. It is also important to know where to place the kitchen. Orientation, for example, can make the difference between a space that can be used all day and one limited to the first hours of the morning. Ideally, look for natural partial shade, avoid south-westerly orientations and study the sun’s path through each season.
A light pergola, deciduous planting or even a low wall acting as a sun barrier can help shield the cooking area without cutting it off. What matters is that the space breathes without overheating.
It is not about hiding from the heat, but knowing how to negotiate with it.
Thinking of the outdoors as an interior
A well-resolved outdoor kitchen is not an annexe: it is an extension of the interior space. That is why it must offer the same conditions of use and the same guarantees. What changes is not the standard, but the context.
And when the season is summer, it pays to plan ahead.
