Courtyard Oasis

This home is designed around an enclosed courtyard that is open to the sky. Inspired by the client's childhood home, which featured a similar design, the goal was to revisit this design motif in their forever home, bringing nature into their experience of the space. Large sliding doors provide access to the courtyard and allow it to function as both a space for circulation and respite.

The exterior features aluminum interlocking panels with a contrasting red cedar soffit, and a mahogany entrance door. To the left, an open-air carport structure evokes a midcentury modern pavilion. This unenclosed, open-air feature is a rarity in New England and is framed by mahogany slats. Inside, mahogany is carried through the millwork, complemented by textured slabs, concrete accents, and dark tones in the bathrooms.

The home is sited to preserve as many trees as possible, with the driveway designed to maximize the number of trees in the public way. From the street, the client wanted a direct view through the home into the courtyard. Upon entry, a series of Flavin screens offer a partial view of the courtyard, gradually revealing this "roofless room" to the onlooker.