How do you recognise Courtyard house?

An inner court as the core; Rooms arranged around it; Greenery and a small pond inside; A reserved, inward-looking exterior.

Exterior architecture

Courtyard house

Courtyard house, atrium house, house with inner yard

A house turned inward, drawing light, air and greenery from a private yard.

Colour moodboard

Wall creamCourt greenTimber brownStone greyWater blue-grey

Material moodboard

Cream render wallTimber corridorGrey court pavingFired brick court floorTempered court glassBlue-grey glazed potCourtyard greenery

Origin: Houses arranged around an inner yard are ancient in many cultures, including Vietnamese old-quarter and garden houses.

The courtyard house arranges rooms around an open or glass-covered inner yard. The court supplies light, natural ventilation and privacy, especially on narrow city plots. Planting, a small pond or a gravel garden makes the space cool and calm.

In humid coastal regions and the north, place the court to catch the southeast summer breeze and provide a cover or an openable glass roof for rain. Pay attention to court drainage, waterproofing and floor falls. The yard cools through the stack effect as warm air rises out. Plan circulation around the court for cold, rainy days, usually a covered corridor, and shield the court from winter wind.

Materials

Rendered brick walls in cream or white exterior paint
Timber for doors, corridors and canopies
Natural stone or fired brick court paving
Tempered glass for the court roof or large doors

Furniture & forms

An inner court at the centre with rooms around it
A covered corridor around the court
Planting, a small pond or rock garden in the court
A closed outer face with a small gate

Lighting

Daylight from the court into surrounding rooms
Recessed corridor lights and uplights on court planting

How it differs from similar styles

Courtyard house vs Vietnamese garden house

The courtyard house wraps rooms around a small central yard for light and air; the Vietnamese garden house spreads across a broad garden with trees around it.

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Courtyard house vs Traditional three-bay northern house

The courtyard house turns inward with an enclosed yard at its centre; the three-bay house stretches along one axis with its brick yard open at the front.

Courtyard house vs Moroccan

The Vietnamese courtyard house favours rustic timber and greenery; the Moroccan riad has a courtyard of zellige tiles, a fountain and metal lanterns.

Courtyard house vs Ottoman

The courtyard house stresses the central void and planting; Ottoman stands out with ceramic tiles, arches, low cushions and dense geometric ornament.

Courtyard house vs Green architecture

The courtyard house is a layout using a central yard for ventilation; green architecture is a broader goal of saving energy with many other measures.

Courtyard house vs Minimalism

The courtyard house is tied to a layout and may be rustic or detailed; minimalism is a restrained handling of furniture and decoration in any building type.