Courtyards Huis by Christos Pavlou is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2024 A' Design Award in Brons in Architectuur, Gebouwen en Constructieontwerp Competition Category.

BronsArchitectuur· 2024

Courtyards Huis

by Christos Pavlou

Client: Christos Pavlou Architecture

A' Design Award in Brons Winner in Architectuur Category

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Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #154862

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The Design

About Courtyards Huis

Dit huis met twee verdiepingen biedt een onderscheidende mix van traditioneel Cypriotisch woningontwerp en hedendaagse elementen, met drie grote groene binnentuinen die zorgen voor vloeiende overgangen tussen binnen- en buitenruimtes. Het ervaren van de magie van het leven dicht bij de natuur, met privétuinen en groene atria, terwijl men geniet van het comfort van modern design en de magie van de evolutie van het leven. De grenzen vervagen door groen naar binnen te brengen via de atria, waardoor de binnentuin een levensstijl wordt die gebruikers in staat stelt te genieten van de magie van de seizoensgebonden transformaties van het leven.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award in Brons

Courtyards Huis is winnaar van de A' Design Award in Brons, een hoogst prestigieuze erkenning die wordt toegekend aan uitstekende ontwerpen die zich onderscheiden door creativiteit, vindingrijkheid en scherpzinnigheid. Winnaars in Brons zijn ruimschoots vaardige en opvallend creatieve artefacten die de grote ervaring, verbeelding en het vernuft van hun ontwerpers bevestigen. Courtyards Huis wordt verwacht een hooggewaardeerd, bewonderd en gekoesterd object te zijn dat opmerkelijk professioneel en innovatief is. Dit ontwerp dat de A' Design Award in Brons heeft gewonnen, verwerkt de beste praktijken in kunst, wetenschap, ontwerp en technologie en is uitstekend door zijn aandacht voor detail. Courtyards Huis bevredigt schitterend behoeften, raakt verlangens, charmeert gevoelens en spreekt de nieuwsgierigheid aan.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

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