22 Internal Courtyards to Covet
Our coffee-break escape offers you five minutes' worth of images to inspire and delight. Jump right in...
Julia Fairley
3 December 2019
Houzz editorial team. I love design and architecture that is thoughtful, sophisticated and champions an element of the unexpected. Before graduating with a Bachelor of Arts at UNSW and becoming a journalist, I studied interior architecture. For over a decade I have interviewed inspiring creative minds from around the world to write about design in its many different forms. Recently, I have also become an accidental gardener, to everyone's surprise.
Houzz editorial team. I love design and architecture that is thoughtful, sophisticated... More
In today’s architectural world, every square centimetre of space counts, particularly in small inner-city homes. But it’s not only floor area and storage space that’s worth counting, a pocket of greenery or some alfresco breathing space incorporated into your home’s floor plan counts for a lot, too. Here are 22 homes that resisted the urge to fill every centimetre with internal floor space, and used an internal courtyard to great – and highly therapeutic – effect.
And remember, you can get more details of a project and see more of a professional’s work by clicking on a photo.
And remember, you can get more details of a project and see more of a professional’s work by clicking on a photo.
2. Zen space. Austin, USA
Find an architect near you on Houzz to design an internal courtyard in your home’s floor plan
Find an architect near you on Houzz to design an internal courtyard in your home’s floor plan
3. Rooms with a view. London, UK
Designer: Red Squirrel Architects
Designer: Red Squirrel Architects
4. Urban jungle. Petrie Terrace, Queensland
Designer: Bureau Proberts
Read more about this and other award-winning homes
Designer: Bureau Proberts
Read more about this and other award-winning homes
5. Tropical time. Sydney, NSW
6. Moody views. Melbourne, Victoria
Designer: B.E Architecture
Designer: B.E Architecture
8. Double act. Pune, India
Designer: Architecture BRIO
Designer: Architecture BRIO
9. Bends in high places. Victoria
Designer: Wowowa Architecture & Interiors
Designer: Wowowa Architecture & Interiors
11. Breathing space. Wollongong, NSW
Designer: Durant Building Design Management
Designer: Durant Building Design Management
15. Retro retreat. Milan, Italy
Designer: sm*s stefaniamicottistudio
See the rest of this Italian home in a converted mechanic’s garage
Designer: sm*s stefaniamicottistudio
See the rest of this Italian home in a converted mechanic’s garage
18. Bold moves. Melbourne, Victoria
Designer: First Avenue Homes
Designer: First Avenue Homes
19. Warehouse wonder. Melbourne, Victoria
Designer: Architects EAT
Designer: Architects EAT
…Here’s what that well-framed window seat opens out to.
Read about this redesigned home in a former chocolate factory
Read about this redesigned home in a former chocolate factory
21. Green lung. Sydney, NSW
Designer: Madeleine Blanchfield Architects
Designer: Madeleine Blanchfield Architects
…Take a closer look at the hidden space.
Your turn
Which of these 22 internal courtyards would you like to claim as your own? Tell us your favourites in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Craving another dose of design inspiration? Don’t miss last week’s Picture Perfect: 16 Moody Powder Rooms With Dark Walls
Your turn
Which of these 22 internal courtyards would you like to claim as your own? Tell us your favourites in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Craving another dose of design inspiration? Don’t miss last week’s Picture Perfect: 16 Moody Powder Rooms With Dark Walls
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baxjor if you are in Sydney a visit to the recycle area of Kimbriki in Terry Hills can uncover 2nd hand windows and window items.
OOHH how to choose! I love courtyards. They provide a visual focus, abundant fresh air, often another room but one that is super healthy. Plants are so important to our well being too.
I do love No. 3 the London Room With View. Looking past the pots and plants is intrigue...takes you eye past to a comfy seat. No. 9 Bends in High Places is stunning with the curve: I would want to turn the couch towards this and just sit, look, day dream! Also No. 21 the Green Lung is just what I mean with a healthy place inside the building...wonderful!
Cheers
Margot
Love #18/19. I'm considering a KDRB on an east/west orientated block. Paired with some clerestory windows, this is a creative take on a lightwell to bring natural light into the south side of my house.