...continued from above
Q.: What are the factors behind the growing trend in indoor-outdoor living today?
A.:
“The pace at which we conduct our lives is certainly an important
factor in home design today. That, in turn, has led to a greater need
to build homes that function as refuges from the larger world and the near-constant attention, speed and multi-tasking it demands.
“However,
we want to do more than simply stay inside our homes; we also want a
sense of connectivity to the surrounding land. As a consequence, the
veranda, the central courtyard, the patio, the garden have all become
vital elements at the core of home design. The best designs blend
inside with outside in an inventive way that enhances our daily
enjoyment of both.”
“Tradition
also exerts an enormous influence on residential design. In the
‘Introduction’ to HOMES & COURTYARDS, I mention some of
the architects – historical and modern – who had had a
major impact on Bassenian/Lagoni: Andrea Palladio, a sixteenth century
Italian, the Americans Wallace Neff and Charles Moore, and Ricardo
Legorreta from Mexico. Their work extends beyond any particular period.
We have tried to absorb the lessons they taught so well and blend them
with modern materials and technologies to express our own ideas about
design.”
Q: How does a courtyard enhance a floor plan and therefore daily living?
A:
“The courtyard should be an extension of the floor plan, a
flowing out that connects the interior spaces to the outdoors.
California architect Cliff Mays said he once designed “a two-room
house with a five-room garden.” The best home designs strive to
enhance that connection with the natural world. Whether it is an
expansive veranda or a central courtyard, inventive architecture allows
the outdoors to consistently activate the core of the home.
“Courtyards
also offer great flexibility in terms of location in relation to the
home: entry courtyards, side courtyards, center courtyards, rear
courtyards. Each option adds an element of surprise, provides the buyer
a private outdoor space, infuses interior spaces with natural light,
and significantly extends the livability of the interior.
“Of
course, the location of the courtyard inevitably impacts a floor plan.
With an entry courtyard, for example, the architect will want to
introduce a living space to the front of the home – a home
office, a casita or a game room. Whatever its function, this space
should open to the outdoors as well.”
Q: What are the tools for unifying interior and exterior living spaces?
A:
“Creating a cohesive living space between inside and outside
rooms demands several design elements. You will want to introduce
structural and design elements that create pleasing adjacencies. There
should also be a steady play of natural materials throughout the
interior to erase the distinction between indoor and outdoor rooms.
“View-through
opportunities in each room facing the courtyard are a must, and
courtyard spaces should be proportioned to accommodate conversation
groups. Finally, the design should permit the courtyard to be
furnishable in the same way an interior space is.”
Q: Can you elaborate on how to arrange outdoor spaces to heighten livability?
A:
“As I mentioned, there are a great many options in locating a
courtyard, and that location inevitably impacts the arrangement of
these spaces. An entry courtyard, for example, should be used to soften
the entry experience. To keep this space private, a gate or a solid
door should be used to protect the courtyard. Landscape and hardscape
within the courtyard – such as a garden, a fountain or an
exterior fireplace – will help soften the enclosed space and make
it an extension of the indoors.
“A
side courtyard can work exceptionally well on a smaller lot where a
conventional rear yard is not workable. Fountains are not employed so
much in this type of courtyard, but a trellis is a popular option for
creating privacy and softening the space. Fewer interior rooms are
exposed to the outdoors with a side courtyard, but natural light will
filter more deeply into the home. That’s a highly desirable
feature with a small-lot configuration.
“Center
courtyards are advantageous in less moderate climates in which outdoor
living is limited to only six or seven months during the year.
Surrounded on four sides, the fully enclosed center court provides a
protected retreat with the greatest privacy and insulation from noise.
Water tends to be a significant, organizing element in these
enclosures, creating a relaxed environment that is shared by nearly
every room in a home. French doors from the first floor spaces open
onto the courtyard, while second-floor balconies overlook it –
again blending outdoor and indoor living.”
Q: Should portions of a courtyard be segmented and even covered?
A:
“Creating separate areas within a U-shaped courtyard – both
covered and open – allows more of the home to orient to the
outdoor living space. A covered eating area off the kitchen extends the
latter living zone. A small private deck off the master suite,
separated from the remaining space with landscape, introduces yet
another functional area. These arrangements will allow natural light
and ventilation to infuse the interior spaces.”
Q: What special considerations govern architecture of a courtyard home?
A:
“The same design principles we follow for the rest of the home
apply to courtyards as well, but you’re right – there are
some special considerations. Take, for example, rear courtyards, which
work exceptionally well on hilly or golf-course sites where expansive
views will enhance the value of the home. When working with such a
configuration, an architect would be well advised to reduce the massing
at the rear of the house, thus creating a human scale in the outdoor
living area. If the designer is featuring a pool or a fountain, push it
into U-shaped home plan, so that the structure shelters the courtyard
on three sides. This move will also enhance the perception of depth.
“Likewise,
with a side courtyard, it is important to provide relief in terms of
massing: Don’t let a looming second story overpower the outdoor
space and spoil the scale.
“If
an architect wishes to create a covered loggia off of a courtyard
space, he or she should remember that ceilings block light filtration.
Consider carefully the number and placement of windows in the interior
rooms that will be affected. Also, I would recommend creating a
physical division between the covered and open outdoor spaces, using
columns, low walls and landscaping.”
Aram Bassenian
can be reached c/o Bassenian/Lagoni Architects, 2031 Orchard Drive,
Suite 100, Newport Beach, CA 92660-0753; tel.: 949.553.9100.
