Why outdoor heating belongs in the design conversation

Outdoor dining spaces offer the freedom to enjoy a drink and a meal beneath the stars, overlooking the skyline, or watching the waves roll in across the coastline. This is all enjoyable until the temperature drops. 

For hotels, bars and restaurants, the promise of outdoor spaces can be quickly broken. 

“In Melbourne, Perth and even in Brisbane, all over Australia, we get cold at night. If you are investing in a beer garden, rooftop space or courtyard and you don’t have adequate heating, you’re losing money because you can’t fill those seats,” says Infratech Heating’s Lachlan Strachan.

The challenge is finding a way to integrate suitable heating without compromising the architecture, atmosphere or operational demands of the venue.

Where freestanding gas patio heaters can be expensive to operate and inconvenient to manage, particularly when bottles need to be changed over mid-service, Infratech’s American-made infrared heating offers a more economical, low-maintenance alternative. It can also be integrated into a venue’s design, rather than simply being placed wherever space allows.

Unlike other heating options that warm the surrounding air, infrared heating works by radiating directly towards people and surfaces within range. In hospitality spaces, it means guests can actually feel the warmth, rather than the heat being lost to the open-air environment. 

When integrated at the design stage, Infratech heating can be tailored to the way the space is used. 

“The right heating plan depends on the area, how open it is, how enclosed it is, what the structure is like. It’s important to see where we can mount heaters, so if we have all of this information early enough in the planning stages, we can suggest options that will help the heaters fit and perform better.”

Infratech offers a range of mounting options, including ceiling, wall, pole and flush mounting, allowing the heating system to respond to the structure and layout of the space. Its flush-mount option can be recessed into a ceiling for a low-profile finish, while other mounting approaches can be used where the architecture or height of a space calls for something different.

At Adelaide’s Sora on Pirie rooftop restaurant and club, the venue’s modern design and open-air layout called for a heating solution that could integrate smoothly into the architectural vision of the space. Working closely with the Sora team, Infratech Heaters developed a customised heating plan using the Infratech C-Series and CD-Series heaters, chosen for their performance and flexibility within the design. Discreetly mounted to walls and hovering over seating areas, the heating has become part of the architecture.

The result is a rooftop environment that remains warm and inviting even on cooler nights, enhancing the guest experience and extending the venue’s usability across all seasons. Whether diners are enjoying a long evening meal or club-goers are soaking in the views, the atmosphere remains comfortable without compromising style.

A similar approach was taken during the refurbishment of the Corner Hotel’s rooftop area in Richmond, Victoria. Here, the challenge was to create a comfortable outdoor environment that could support the venue’s year-round use while working within the existing character and layout of the rooftop. 

“When the iconic Corner Hotel underwent major renovations to revitalise its popular rooftop area, the team approached us with a clear objective: to create a warm and inviting outdoor space that could be enjoyed year-round, without compromising the venue’s aesthetic or energy efficiency goals. We worked closely with the Corner Hotel team to supply and customise our Infratech outdoor heating range to suit the unique layout and design of their rooftop area.

“Since installation, the Infratech system has significantly enhanced the comfort of the rooftop area, allowing patrons to enjoy the space even during colder months. The extended usability has translated into increased foot traffic, improved customer experience, and stronger revenue performance, proving that smart outdoor heating is not just a comfort upgrade, but a business investment.”

More than adding warmth, Infratech approaches heating as part of the wider design plan. How people use a space is considered from the start of any project, and this is where heating also needs to be thought about for performance, comfort and style. 

Explore the premium heating options available from Infratech Heating to use in your next project.