The Courtyard House is a renovation and addition of an existing 1200 square foot house for a physician in a quiet Durham neighborhood. The tight budget meant much of the existing structure needed to be reused, and the small lot meant little room for expansion. The resulting design made use of a central courtyard space as an outdoor room and extension of the public-facing living spaces.
The porch wrapping the interior functions as an outdoor seating space, while pervious pavers keep the courtyard drained and dry. Planting beds integrated into the porch bring warmth and life to the courtyard. The exterior appearance drew inspiration from the pines heavily populating the site, featuring an all-natural wood siding carefully selected to resist rot and insects. The living room was formed from the structure of the existing carport, a clever move which saved money while also adding valuable square footage to the home.
The amount of natural daylight now entering the living spaces has radically changed how the house is used by its owners. This merging of indoor and outdoor space has promoted a healthy and sustainable lifestyle, both in personal relaxation and for hosting guests.