In 2013, Sun Design began what initially was a typical remodel: converting an old backyard porch into a modern, versatile outdoor entertainment area. The Northern Virginia firm planned to install a rear screen porch, complete with tiled flooring, interior lighting, and a granite countertop.
Things got interesting when the homeowner, a New York native, revealed that one of his favorite memories from childhood was eating pizza baked in a brick oven. The idea of giving his kids that same experience would be a dream come true, so Sun Design owner Craig Durosko and director of production Rob Moss got started on building a brick pizza oven.
The team first had to assemble the rest of the space. The drywall ceiling, countertop, screen porch, lighting, dining area, and lounge were all completed before work on the oven could begin. “The pizza oven alone took about 50% of the energy to complete this job," Moss says. "… It was something so unusual and was built as a standalone item.”
The freestanding pizza oven, provided by Forno Bravo, required special care to insert because it attaches to both the floor and the ceiling. Additional support beams, metal framing, and mesh materials were used to join the elements.
Despite being assembled on its own, the oven doesn’t feel separated from the rest of the design. Incorporating the oven into the porch, says Durosko, “adds yet another element of fun and comfort for all ages.”
