Opening Inward – Courtyard House by COX Architecture

With a layered and storied past, Courtyard House returns back to its origins as a single dwelling, emphasising connection and a shared openness. COX Architecture combines references to the Moroccan riad to draw in natural light and create an increased sense of scale.

Located in Glebe, Courtyard House is the result of multiple additions and alterations over time, with differing and disconnected approaches conceived out of times of need and availability of materiality and resources. Since its inception in 1885, when it was originally imagined in the Italianate style, it was part of the Toxteth Estate in the area. Over time, it became a boarding house divided into multiple rooms with shared amenity from an addition added within the interwar period. In a stripping back of these elements, back to the original 1885 core building structure, a new addition proposed to sit within the outline of the demolished and cloak the home in a binding cohesion. At the heart of this gesture is the creation of a central courtyard, the home’s namesake, where COX Architecture creates a focal point for everyday activity to pivot around.

At the heart of this gesture is the creation of a central courtyard, the home’s namesake, where COX Architecture creates a focal point for everyday activity to pivot around.

Returning the home to its original single dwelling status was the starting inspiration for the new work and creating a centrally located heart from which associated zones could be arranged was the answer. Looking to Morocco and their traditional riad courtyards, the idea to open the home at the centre was established. While the exterior of the structure remains robust and protective of the contents within, the interior lining becomes more vulnerable and penetrative. As a result, each interior space has its own unique relationship with the courtyard, allowing natural light and ventilation inward.

By turning its back to the street, the focus moves to internal connections and, by removing the interwar addition, clarity is created between the old and new where the join acts to delineate time. Junctions allow a form of separation, both in level changes and material composition, while allowing the two eras to co-exist. Using the formal planning and separation of the existing for more passive zones, and the new areas as more active convening sections, the home is divided into a series of associated and connected wings. All movement then funnels down in various ways to the ground floor, where the open living areas bring everyone together. By opening to the elements at the centre, the home becomes passively cooled and lit, reducing the reliance on any outside energy.

While the exterior of the structure remains robust and protective of the contents within, the interior lining becomes more vulnerable and penetrative.

In its reconfiguration, Courtyard House is indebted a new purpose. COX Architecture grounds the home in a design that is adaptable over time as needed, as the ideal family home arrangement.