Today’s feature is about an oft used, design -wise practically fool proof, yet infamous design feature – The Courtyard. Back in design school a mere mention of the cliche’d courtyard as part of our designs sent waves of exasperation through the studio . What amazes me is how terribly underutilized this concept is in the west. Even in essentially tropical states, where HVAC is a thoughtless, impractical, quick-fix to temperature control indoors. Building and energy issues aside, aesthetically, courtyards can open up a space, create great spatial variety, bathe the indoors in natural light thus making a space feel bigger than it actually is. Internal courtyards were a common feature in vernacular architecture – Indian, Moroccon, Spanish etc., and the fact that they have made a come-back, and a grand one at that, is testimony to my belief that life always does come full circle.
The picture below is a house designed by ODR Architects called the Lily Street House. Image Courtesy – http://homeandbody.com.au/
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