Mochizuki Architectural Atelier

Homes Featuring Courtyards｜Introduction to Architecture Firms｜The Enclosed Sky Garden

Author: Qurasuki Editorial Department

A courtyard enclosed by the building functions excellently to admit natural light and breeze into the interior while maintaining privacy from the exterior. Thoughtful design measures characterize houses with courtyards: layout strategies that allow the courtyard to be experienced from every room; provisions such as deep eaves and glazed canopies to ensure comfort even on rainy days; and seasonal staging through planting and water features. The form and role of a courtyard vary according to site constraints and the surrounding context, and the designer’s imagination has a profound impact on the quality of the space. Here we introduce architectural firms that have realized richly layered homes centered on courtyards.