Terraces and balconies have always been essential architectural features -- they are effectively the continuation of a dwelling outdoors. Terraces are mostly related directly to the landscape surrounding a building. They can frame a view -- for instance, through canopies or side walls --, they can imitate particular landscape elements on their own more human scale, or they can enable the landscape to be perceived and experienced in a different way.

Unlike terraces, balconies are first and foremost a structural element of a house, epitomising the character of the building and its architectural style. The balcony can be the crowning glory of a house -- the extension of the living space outdoors.

This book introduces terraces and balconies from all over the world that have been created by well-known architects and designers and that are particularly original or successfully unite aesthetics and functionality.