Courtyards Kay

Press Kit

Unique Properties

In an inhospitable landscape the owners decide to build their "shelter". With no particular views, no neighbourhoods and not much greenery the surrounding rural space does not lend itself to extroversion. Between city and nature, isolation and sociability we are asked to create comfortable and safe living conditions. A design approach that includes the typology of the traditional Cypriot courtyard house was adopted as the basis of the concept.

Dimensions & Packaging

ground floor roughly - 28m (length)X6.50m(width)
upper floor roughly - 34m(length)X5.25m (width)

three main courtyards:
courtyard No.1 - 9X9m
courtyard No.2 - 4X9m
courtyard No.3 - 6.5X6.20m

Tags

gardens, courtyards, outdoors, patios, atriums

Production Technology

A reversed concrete beam structural system is used and together with slim steel circular columns at chosen locations suggest an airy, minimalistic design. Floor to ceiling sliding aluminium glazing system are employed to enhance the interior space and strengthen the relationship between inside and outside. Landscape and green courtyards become another material of the architecture. To protect the western side of the house a light weight perforated wall, which seems to float over the ground floor, is made of Ytong blocks for better sound insulation and excellent thermal insulation.

Design Challenge

Straddling the line between city and nature, isolation and sociability, we were tasked with creating comfortable and safe living conditions in an entirely unfriendly environment. Enclosing private family life within its own boundaries and using inner courtyards as the primary structural elements overcame the problem of hostility and isolation.

Research

The Cypriot rural house typology is studied here for the development of the design. Traditional Cypriot farmhouses are usually rectilinear in shape and enclosed within their own boundaries mainly with high walls and form a large internal courtyard. The upper floor of the house is a long rectilinear block which accommodates the bedrooms but also helps to enclosed better the courtyards on ground floor.

Inspiration

The dialectical relationship between indoor and outdoor space transforms the courtyard into a tool of architectural composition. The boundaries begin to blur by bringing nature inside, the courtyards become a way of living. The experience of the residences revolves around the atriums and gardens, enabling users to enjoy the magic of the evolution of life, the changes of light, vegetation and the seasonal colours of nature "Light,green,air,the three main elements of urban planning", Le Corbusier.

Project Duration

The house started in 2018 in Nicosia , Cyprus and completed in July 2020. It has been published on Archdaily, Designboom ( among most popular of the week), archilovers ( featured in their weekly news letter).

Operation Flow

The concept of courtyards extends to the upper floor where all bedrooms open onto protected, uncovered continuous long balconies creating interior spaces directly connected to their external environment. Patios and courtyards become integral parts of the design, offering protected extensions for outdoor activities and delightful gathering spots all year-round. Daily rituals are organized around courtyards and patios, each with a distinctive atmosphere and connection with the beauty of nature.

Image Credits

main image #1: unseen views/ charis solomou
optional image#1 :unseen views/ charis solomou
optional image#2 :unseen views/ charis solomou
optional image#3 :unseen views/ charis solomou
optional image#4 :unseen views/ charis solomou
video credits: CAM Archi Studio