Courtyard House Dover, MA
Courtyard House Dover, MA

Noanet Woods Modern

The house sits at the center of a sloped, wooded property, buffered from the adjacent suburban road by tall pines. A winding driveway ascends to reach a strikingly modern residence, tucked into its natural setting. A plinth of board-form concrete supports the main floor, its surface echoing the natural textures of the surrounding woodlands. Mindful of the road below, the north face embraces privacy and opacity, interrupted by a few thoughtfully placed windows. Carefully detailed mahogany screens and vertical battens add further texture to the exterior, while a dramatic canopy provides cover and directs the eye to the main entry, placed at the hinge-point of the home’s two wings.

An expression of Flavin’s Natural Modern approach, the house’s upper level nestles into the slope, responding to the site’s topography. The lower level accommodates guest and media spaces, a fitness room and garage parking. The house is entered at the lower level, where sunlight filters from above, drawing one up the stairs to the primary floor and courtyard. Upstairs, the walk-out main floor wraps around a “curated courtyard,” a term coined by the client early in the project. Enhanced with lush plantings, this intimate space becomes the focal point of the house. Walls of glass provide views from the main living spaces and primary bedroom, welcoming nature and blurring the boundary between inside and out.

Evening image with contemporary lighting of front driveway and hidden entrance to home interior.
Indoor-outdoor view of porch deck and hallway space. Modern materials implemented with concrete, and wood and metal detailing.
Large sliding window doors open to a deck with a minimalist fireplace with olive tiling facing the opposite side of opening.
Home door entrance with rich dark wood door, exterior walls resembling a brutalist approach creating continuity with door acting as a small break in between exterior walls.
Large windowed hallway with modern metal staircase railing leading to basement space.
Naturally-lit dining and kitchen open space showcasing a lightly warm and contemporary space showcasing modern design interior pieces for the modern kitchen and dining room.
interior view of home with a concrete floor leading the eyes from the near cabinetry and wall art piece all to the fireplace nestled in the center of the image.
Kitchen bar and white minimalist cabinetry, white marble tabletops with light wood detailings.
Wide shot image of interior dining room, olive-colored tiling fireplace, and courtyard deck and space viewed through large glass sliding doors.




We worked with Colin and his team to build our California modern dream home in the woods of Dover. The level of professionalism and attention to detail is superior. The style of modern that Colin and his team execute is clean, crisp, mid-century modern with exquisite touches of detail and uniqueness. The Flavin team was instrumental throughout our build and was highly accessible, knowledgeable and showed great depth of creativity and problem solving. We couldn't be happier with our custom home.
Homeowner
Staircase sideview, showcasing glass and white-painted metal railing as well as concrete wall to white painted wall transition into staircase space.
Cozy living room space in the evening with comfortable fire going. Large organic shapes create a relaxed space with dark wood coffee table and twin bean bag chairs. Courtyard space sits behind the living room allowing the last light of the day enter through giant glass doors.
View from the side of the bed in master bedroom. Concrete pottery and wood bedside table encapsulates the materials used in homes main design.
Light-filled bathroom with grey marble tiling and white painted walls with a matching white countertop.
Courtyard House sketch conceptualizing space and scale created by Colin Flavin.
View through main doorway of hidden front entrance. Resident walking along concrete slab path that leads through doorway and curls around corner of house into backyard.
Sunken natural fitness studio space with exterior access to back yard through sliding glass walls.
Library and study room view from reading sofa. Multipurpose shelving holds books and small treasures encapsulating the light filled room.
Hall bath mirror and sink view. Pine green glazed tiling with asymmetrical warm light fixture encapsulating natural modern approach.
Front entrance driveway in the evening showcasing concrete first floor and wood paneled second-floor facades.
Perspective and section sketch of Courtyard House by Colin Flavin.
Outdoor courtyard in the evening cradled into home with warm interior lighting surrounding dining space.
Flavin Architects Courtyard House Floor Plan

Credits

General Contractor

Denali Construction

Interior Designer

Thread Art and Design

Structural Engineer

Siegel Structural Engineers

Surveyor + Civil Engineer

Cheney Engineering

Landscape Design

Rehl Gardens
Lenahan’s Landscaping
Catoia Construction

Windows + Doors

Loewen Windows and Doors
Schuco International

Photography

Nat Rea Photography

Awards + Publications

"California Dreamin'", New England Home, 2025

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