Courtyard House

This private residence was designed for a couple with a vision for a private and inspiring live/work environment that could expand to accommodate large gatherings of family and friends. Inspired by the couple’s ties to the traditional Latin American courtyard homes, the house consists of an abstract, perforated site wall shared by three enclosed structures. Indoor spaces extend into the courtyards, whose walls were imagined as abstract projection surfaces for the tall pine trees that comprise the surrounding forest. Moveable interior walls and casework contribute to uncluttered, flexible living spaces that maximize functionality and efficiency, while providing intimate views of the landscape. While the Courtyard Residence may not share an architectural language with other residences in the area, local conventions in construction were rigorously maintained to capitalize on the skills of the local workforce and access to common construction materials.

The Main House consists of a large, U-shaped space in which bedroom, kitchen/dining, living, and working all connect around a bathroom, storage, and mechanical core. Large, sliding pocket doors provide privacy for the Master and Guest Bedroom when necessary. Fold-down beds allow office spaces to convert to bedrooms when guests are in town. The galley kitchen includes two large, moveable island components that can be arranged as a breakfast bar, serving station, or table. Large glass sliding doors provide minimal separation between the indoor spaces and courtyards, blurring the boundaries between inside and out.