Sweet Relief

OUR LIVES LITERALLY REVOLVE AROUND THE SUN, BUT NEVER MORE THAN ON BALMY DAYS THAT beg for a dip in the pool or a round of lawn games. Just as essential as getting outside is having a shaded place of refuge from the heat-call it a pool house, pavilion, or cabana. The goal, says architect Stan Dixon, should be to "design a space that feels enclosed yet is full of light." Screens, slats, big windows, and canopies allow a breeze to drift through and may offer some UV protection, but they won't encumber a view of the action. (Ideal for, say, parents taking a time-out while their kids play!) Flip through these designer-approved ideas for poolside living, and picture yourself reclining with a good book and a canapé. -Hadley Mendelsohn and Amanda Sims Clifford

- Hadley Mendelsohn and Amanda Sims Clifford

Sun-Dappled Dining Room

The General Assembly team designed the slatted structure for a mother and daughter duo. The cascading light and partial shade make it the ideal "refuge from a busy life, a focused space to connect," says founder Sarah Zames.

Year-Round Retreat

Working with landscape architect Lila Fendrick, designer Nestor Santa-Cruz chose a wall of steel and glass windows and doors for this formal pool house. It emphasizes the dramatic beauty and symmetry of the view beyond.

DIY Cabana