Call it sculpture with a purpose. Los Angeles designer Ilan Dei dreamed up this surprising outdoor room that rises from the end of a deck overlooking a canyon and the ocean in the coastal mountains near Santa Monica. The one-walled structure, which includes a dining space with a nearby buffet counter, frames views without blocking them. But the most dramatic feature is its shade ― a thin metal framework with perforated metal screening that angles out and slightly upward. During the day, the white powder-coated roof almost acts as a sundial, casting a broad shadow onto the wall and deck below.

INFO: Ilan Dei Studio, Venice, CA (310/302-9222).