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10 Homes With Large, Well-Ventilated CourtyardsView 10 Photos

10 Homes With Large, Well-Ventilated Courtyards

Open and airy courtyards can create a sense of interconnectedness between indoors and outdoors.
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Such commodious spaces can also help improve air circulation, encourage movement of cool breezes, and bring more natural light into a home. This makes it an energy-efficient design solution, particularly in warmer climates. Take a look at 10 outstanding examples we found.   

A Spot Near the Oaks in Palo Alto

On a north-sloping site in Palo Alto, California, three distinct volumes are jointed in this residence to create an internally-focused private courtyard that sits adjacent to a mature stand of live oak trees.

On a north-sloping site in Palo Alto, California, three distinct volumes are jointed in this residence to create an internally-focused private courtyard that sits adjacent to a mature stand of live oak trees.

Built around a 100-year-old pear tree, the modern courtyard home of architect Jake Edgley takes full advantage of its surroundings, from the vertical wood boards to the way it fillsCourtesy of Jack Hobhouse the home with natural light throughout the day.   

Built around a 100-year-old pear tree, the modern courtyard home of architect Jake Edgley takes full advantage of its surroundings, from the vertical wood boards to the way it fillsCourtesy of Jack Hobhouse the home with natural light throughout the day.   

To create privacy, Kevin Daly Architects created a two-story glazed facade facing a landscaped courtyard, and shaded it with a perforated, folding metal skin that’s supported by an aluminum exoskeleton.

To create privacy, Kevin Daly Architects created a two-story glazed facade facing a landscaped courtyard, and shaded it with a perforated, folding metal skin that’s supported by an aluminum exoskeleton.

The architect of this contemporary residence in Port Arthur, Tasmania, incorporated a central courtyard as an unusual but intelligent design response to the region's temperate climate.

The architect of this contemporary residence in Port Arthur, Tasmania, incorporated a central courtyard as an unusual but intelligent design response to the region's temperate climate.

This house in Singapore was designed to be used without air-conditioning. When designing the space, the architect considered a number of factors, including increased ventilation, coolness, and protection from the strong heat and torrential rains.

This house in Singapore was designed to be used without air-conditioning. When designing the space, the architect considered a number of factors, including increased ventilation, coolness, and protection from the strong heat and torrential rains.

The courtyard in this Toronto home is where the family can catch some sun during the warm summer months, while still maintaining their privacy.

The courtyard in this Toronto home is where the family can catch some sun during the warm summer months, while still maintaining their privacy.

Designed by Dallas-Pierce-Quintero, this two-bedroom house within the walls of an infill site in East London relies on a series of courtyards as its main source of sunlight.

Designed by Dallas-Pierce-Quintero, this two-bedroom house within the walls of an infill site in East London relies on a series of courtyards as its main source of sunlight.

Six earth-colored, metal-clad pavilions were combined to create Tin House, an innovative and voluminous house that boasts a secluded rectangular pool in a bright interior courtyard.

Six earth-colored, metal-clad pavilions were combined to create Tin House, an innovative and voluminous house that boasts a secluded rectangular pool in a bright interior courtyard.

Inspired by the communal terrace courtyards of traditional multi-generational Thai homes, Thai architectural practice TA-CHA Design positioned a courtyard with a large tree in the center of the house to encourage circulation and increase interaction between household members. 

Inspired by the communal terrace courtyards of traditional multi-generational Thai homes, Thai architectural practice TA-CHA Design positioned a courtyard with a large tree in the center of the house to encourage circulation and increase interaction between household members. 

Michele Koh Morollo
Dwell Contributor
Michele Koh Morollo is a journalist who has been writing about design, lifestyle and travel for the last twenty years.

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