Centrally Lit – The Courtyard House by Page Stewart

Circulating around a central courtyard space, the aptly named The Courtyard House injects an open and well-lit core, enhancing access to the natural elements. Page Stewart draws from a European influence, encouraging an outside lived life whilst turning the focus inward as a private repose.

Connecting to its Brighton milieu, The Courtyard House sits lightly in place as an extension of its coastal setting. Expressed through clean lines and an encasing luminance, the form is immersed within a curated landscape among earth toned pavers and textural formed surfaces. Inviting visitors, the entry is marked by a timber lined opening carved into the overall mass – both a signal of warmth and of the interior experience to come. Once inside, the rooms sit positioned around a centrally located courtyard space to increase access to both natural light and landscape. The central space also reinforces a sense of shelter and protection from the elements, seeing Page Stewart carefully form the volumes in alignment whilst encouraging a shared openness.

The mostly cool palette of muted whites and beige tones creates a sense of consistency whilst timber adds texture and stone ensures a continued relevance.

The Courtyard House combines the formal principles of a European palazzo with a contemporary Australian home. Common across both is a love of the outdoors and an ease of flow between inside and out. With views focused inward, privacy is enhanced whilst a layered sense of connection is embedded into each of the resulting spaces. Encouraging a coming together is the generous nature of the living spaces, allowing gatherings of both an active and passive nature. Throughout, high ceilings further increase the sense of scale internally whilst extensive glazing ensures a constant connection beyond the built and framed edges.

Setting the tone from the outset, an oversized entry hall lined in timber opens to a series of other connective interior spaces. The connection to the garden becomes a core experience of the home – the result sees naturally lit internal spaces, animated with moving shadows throughout the day. The mostly cool palette of muted whites and beige tones creates a sense of consistency whilst timber adds texture and stone ensures a continued relevance.

The connection to the garden becomes a core experience of the home – the result sees naturally lit internal spaces, animated with moving shadows throughout the day.

Whilst connecting to its surrounding context, The Courtyard House also offers a similar openness that reflects its owners. Page Stewart uses a clear and controlled restraint throughout to create a place of lightness and enviable calm.