Great Compositions: Light and Private Courtyard Houses
Courtyard homes treat you to sun, light, air — and a new way of looking at the landscape
The arrangement of a house can be a strong influence on the landscape itself. Formal houses like center-hall colonials appear as strong singular objects in the landscape to be viewed from its approach, while informal, site-specific houses can be used to define and give form to the landscape.
Moving beyond the intentions of the L-shaped plan or the practical needs of the dogtrot plan, the courtyard house provides strongly delineated edges to nearly contain the outdoor room. The primary difference between them is that the plan layout often sets up a visual axis of sight to a focal point, and the arrangement of the plan allows maximum privacy of the outdoor room.
Typically, the principle rooms are arranged around a central courtyard with sun, light and air flow permeating through both sides of each room. A clear separation of living and sleeping space can be achieved while allowing all rooms direct access to the same exterior space.
In America, houses like this were historically found in the Southern and Southwestern regions as a direct response to the climate before electricity and air conditioning, while in the cooler North a more compact cubic form was appropriate to minimize exposure to wind and to retain heat at the heart of the home. Today, these arrangements are still the most sustainable design approach for their regions.
Moving beyond the intentions of the L-shaped plan or the practical needs of the dogtrot plan, the courtyard house provides strongly delineated edges to nearly contain the outdoor room. The primary difference between them is that the plan layout often sets up a visual axis of sight to a focal point, and the arrangement of the plan allows maximum privacy of the outdoor room.
Typically, the principle rooms are arranged around a central courtyard with sun, light and air flow permeating through both sides of each room. A clear separation of living and sleeping space can be achieved while allowing all rooms direct access to the same exterior space.
In America, houses like this were historically found in the Southern and Southwestern regions as a direct response to the climate before electricity and air conditioning, while in the cooler North a more compact cubic form was appropriate to minimize exposure to wind and to retain heat at the heart of the home. Today, these arrangements are still the most sustainable design approach for their regions.
In a home on Lake Travis in Austin, Texas, two wings are connected by a long open breezeway. Again, the pool occupies the courtyard, and a visual axis leads the eye outward into a grove of lovely live oaks, which themselves help complete the overall composition. I am particularly drawn to the way asymmetry is used here to great effect, while the parts of the composition create balance.
There are several very clever design moves here: Placing the angled wooden lounge chairs along solid, hard-edged stone walls makes beautiful contrast, and the columns supporting the shelter at the terrace beyond extend the punctuating effect of the tree trunks. The open, recessed, covered loggia on the left is mirrored by its opposite: solid stone walls. And notice how the sky and earth are merged by the pool, making each wing of the house appear to float in space, but "bridged" beneath the oak canopy.
There are several very clever design moves here: Placing the angled wooden lounge chairs along solid, hard-edged stone walls makes beautiful contrast, and the columns supporting the shelter at the terrace beyond extend the punctuating effect of the tree trunks. The open, recessed, covered loggia on the left is mirrored by its opposite: solid stone walls. And notice how the sky and earth are merged by the pool, making each wing of the house appear to float in space, but "bridged" beneath the oak canopy.
This courtyard is not so much a contained room but designed like an architectural folly, appearing as ruins in an old Southern Lowcountry garden adjacent to the house.
But, I like the axis of the fountain centered on the arched opening to the lawn, and the contrast between white stucco and sinuous live oaks. The design sets up a nice sequence of spaces intended to integrate the house with nature.
But, I like the axis of the fountain centered on the arched opening to the lawn, and the contrast between white stucco and sinuous live oaks. The design sets up a nice sequence of spaces intended to integrate the house with nature.
The sound of water and rhythm of plantings and fountains border a path through a central tall entry pavilion. The courtyard is intentionally set up as a place of movement, rather than static occupation.
Informal, and asymmetrical, the courtyard of this house is for casual evenings with friends and family. The full-height sliding glass walls can be entirely opened for covered outdoor space. The monochromatic color tones of the architectural elements allow the furnishings to be the accent color. There is no strong axis or formality at all, and unlike the previous home, the fireplace here is not the primary focus, but serves as a place to warm the hands and maybe make s'mores with the kids!
Notice the how rills of smooth dark gray river stone are used to separate the concrete terrace into smaller areas with lines extending from the geometry of the house. This is a small but well considered gesture by the designer to add implied zones for each activity area.
Notice the how rills of smooth dark gray river stone are used to separate the concrete terrace into smaller areas with lines extending from the geometry of the house. This is a small but well considered gesture by the designer to add implied zones for each activity area.
There is perhaps no greater way to terminate an axis than at an outdoor fireplace. The symmetry is further reinforced with twin urns and twin sofas, and even the tall trees beyond are nearly twins. The exterior walls here are softened by lush plantings and ground cover. A stepped perimeter curb sets apart the perfectly flat stone paved terrace. A space like this is designed for retreat and respite from the outside world, and all major spaces of the home have access to it.
The addition of overhead beams further define and contain the outdoor room of this courtyard house. The placement of other elements are very similar to the previous image.
Courtyards are almost always paved in stone or gravel, but this one uses interlocking wood deck pavers. Using wood instead of stone is appropriate to the scale of a courtyard bound by one-story walls. Like the introductory image, the living space is centrally located and opens to the landscape, but the overall composition is informal for this home.
The courtyard house plan integrates the use and relationship of the exterior with the functions of the interior, and allows light and air flow into all primary interior spaces as the house itself creates the landscape.
More: The L-Shaped House Plan
The Dogtrot House Plan
Living La Vida Linear
The U-Shaped House
The courtyard house plan integrates the use and relationship of the exterior with the functions of the interior, and allows light and air flow into all primary interior spaces as the house itself creates the landscape.
More: The L-Shaped House Plan
The Dogtrot House Plan
Living La Vida Linear
The U-Shaped House
In a desert climate, the use of a reflecting pool in the courtyard has an evaporative cooling effect on the microclimate of a home. The solid mass of stucco masonry walls provides thermal storage for heat during the day and releases it back into the atmosphere at night.