Courtyard House

This house occupies the former backyard of the house next door. The quality of the existing streetscape was poor so it was important that this house address the street. The entry gate is accessed via a landscaped path. Windows overlook the street while courtyard walls give privacy.

Built for a family with very small children, the house is an exercise in affordability. Studiously compact at 164 m2, the floor plan works hard to deliver on a big suburban brief of 3 bedrooms and 2 living areas. This is a family house that can also adapt – the ‘dining’ room could easily be used by someone working from home or as a guest bedroom for visiting grandparents. The ground floor rooms all look to landscaped courtyards, drawing your eye out and making the spaces feel larger.

Robust materials of face brickwork, timber weatherboards and polished concrete ground slab were chosen for their longevity and sustainability, while also referencing the traditional building materials of the post-war suburb. The large amounts of thermal mass provide comfort on hot summer days and cool winter nights. Cross ventilation has been carefully considered so that mechanical ventilation is rarely required. The native landscaping is low maintenance to suit a busy family while providing a variety of textures and delight.

Team

Architect: Sheri Haby Architects
Landscape Architect: Nano Langenheim
Structural Engineer: GCE
Building Surveyor: Tony Middling
Builder: Bruce Anderson
Photographer: Lisbeth Grosmann