Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Private Courtyards

I am incredibly fond of private courtyards in residential housing design. They seem to work especially well in hot and windy climates, where they offer protection from the elements. If you are lucky enough to have the prevailing wind blowing in the right direction, the ideal placement of the courtyard would be to face southwest so that you would get the late afternoon sun and sunset.

Courtyards are a perfect way to add privacy and to subtly extend the interior space outside. I have posted two contemporary examples of courtyards here designed by Spanish architect Alberto Baeza which I found inspiring. I would personally add more plantings to these courtyards, as part of the joy of owning a private courtyard is the ability to look out into your own secret garden.

6 comments:

Maryam in Marrakesh said...

So pristine and beautiful. I want white, I do, I do. But I am scared! I almost bought 7 yards of white upholstery today. And then I stopped and said......it will never stay white. What can I do?

Unknown said...

Right now I am longing for a sunny courtyard. These are complete heaven.

GAILE GUEVARA said...

love this courtyard ... amazing minimal architecture ... reminds me of one of my favorites ... the amazing japanese architecture and interiors by Akira Sakamoto Architect & Associates - thank you for sharing, looking forward to getting back to blogging again ... so delighted to catch up on reading more design inspirations

An Aesthete's Lament said...

I have been a huge fan of Alberto Campo Baeza for a long time now. I have been inside the house pictured, and believe me, it needs no more plants. It is so pristine, almost holy in its serenity. The trees are much larger now. If I could hire anybody to build me a house, it would be ACB. He is the ultimate to me: modest, intellectual, charming, not interested in fame. He once designed a house for Tom Ford (then of Gucci), but it was never built. Which is too bad, because it would have introduced an amazing architect to a country in need of stylish yet inexpensive buildings.

An Aesthete's Lament said...

Maryam, Alberto has built a house in Essaouria for a Frenchman who formerly lived in the Palmeraie of Marrakech. It is gorgeously simple.

Anonymous said...

if you think it needs more planters you have not understood what is this house about