От издателя:
The patio is an outdoor space situated within a house that can have a number of uses, although in the past it served merely as a distributor of space or for ventilating and illuminating the parts furthest away from the facade with natural light. Nowadays, architects have rethought this space and have adapted it to new uses, even in regions with a cool climate and less tradition of living outdoors. The sensation of spaciousness and good lighting acquired by a home giving on to a patio, however small, is one of the reasons why the latter has become more widespread. The patio can also serve to separate the daytime area from the night-time one, or ensure that an outdoor space can be enjoyed free from prying eyes. So, the patio has become one more room in a house, standing out from the others through its lack of roof and its primary function as a place intended for relaxation.