Courtyard to Middle Designs

Maximising Space and Efficiency with Central Courtyard Designs in House Behind House Projects

When considering house behind house designs, the placement of the courtyard is a pivotal decision that can significantly impact the functionality, aesthetics, and efficiency of your home. At House Behind House (HBH), our extensive experience as a professional building and design service has shown us that the courtyard position is often overlooked by many other builders which can lead to sub-standard living conditions. We have had many clients bring us a HBH designs where the courtyard position has not been seriously looked at in terms of the block's advantages. This article will delve into the benefits of having your courtyard in the middle section of a property development, ensuring you make the most informed decision for your home.

Understanding the Importance of Courtyard Placement

The Critical Role of Courtyard Location

The location of the courtyard in a HBH design is one of the most critical decisions you can make! Given the limited space on a rear strata block, often designed to the absolute maximum state govt allowances, the courtyard's location directly influences the home's overall liveability and appeal. The right placement can enhance natural light, privacy, and space utilisation, while the wrong placement can lead to issues with privacy, energy efficiency, and space constraints.

Common Mistakes in Courtyard Placement

One common mistake is failing to consider the advantages of the block in relation to the courtyard's position. Some clients have opted not to purchase a rear strata block because the optimal courtyard location for solar orientation was not feasible with their privacy preferences. This highlights the importance of a well-thought-out design that balances all these factors.

Benefits of a Central Courtyard in a HBH Developments

Optimising Solar Orientation and Energy Efficiency

A central courtyard in a HBH design can be highly beneficial for solar orientation and warmth in winter, making the home more energy-efficient. By positioning the courtyard in the middle, you can ensure that your living areas receive ample sunlight throughout the day, reducing the need for artificial heating and lowering energy bills. While this is not rocket science, our team are amazed when our customers bring us Architectural paid for designs where the courtyard has no access to winter sunlight and backs onto another courtyard of a neighbouring property!

Enhancing Privacy

Privacy is another crucial factor that can be improved with a central courtyard. The middle of the property often offers the best solution for privacy issues, as it is shielded from both the front and rear properties. In many cases, walking out onto a cleared blank rear strata block (behind an existing home) can reveal significant noise or shade from neighbouring properties. A central courtyard helps mitigate these issues (in some cases), providing a more secluded and peaceful outdoor space.

Maximising Space and Cost Efficiency

Central courtyards can also be a more efficient way to maximise the space of the home for the cost of the actual house design. We have a diagram we show our clients. It shows two shapes. Both are 100m2. One has a perimeter of 50 lineal meters, one has a perimeter of 40 lineal meters. The difference in design costs can be up to $50,000 difference.

Given that most councils do not allow garages to be at the end of a driveway, or require driveways to be up to 6 metres wide(if you do want your garage at the end of the driveway, this can significantly impact the layout of the front block making a HBH development unfeasible. With blocks typically ranging from 15 to 25 metres in width, a central courtyard allows for better space utilisation without compromising on the size of the backyard or the overall layout.

Creating an Illusion of additional Space!

One of the standout benefits of a HBH central courtyard designs is the illusion of a larger space! By placing the courtyard in the middle, as you walk through the entry, you have the longest view on the eye, making the home design feel more spacious. This can be particularly beneficial in rear strata house designs, where space is often at a premium.

Comparing Courtyard Placement Options

Front Courtyard Designs

Front courtyard designs place the outdoor area at the front of the property(as looking from the main road) , offering easy access and a welcoming entrance opportunity. However, this can compromise privacy and expose the courtyard to additional street and traffic noise.

Central Courtyard Designs

Central courtyard designs, as discussed, provide optimal privacy, solar orientation, and space utilisation. They can create a serene, private oasis in the heart of the home, enhancing the overall living experience.

Rear Courtyard Designs

Rear courtyard designs position the outdoor area at the back of the property. While this can offer a private retreat, it can also lead to issues with shade and noise from neighbouring properties. Additionally, the layout may not be as efficient in terms of space utilisation compared to central courtyards as per diagram above.

Challenges of Central Courtyard Designs

Potential Drawbacks to Consider

While central courtyards offer numerous benefits, there are potential drawbacks to consider. One of the main challenges is that your courtyard and the front home's courtyard may back against each other, which could impact privacy and noise levels. It's essential to carefully assess these factors and work with a professional builder and designer to address any concerns. Our worst nightmare would be to build a new home where your outdoor area and the front neighbours outdoor area are backing onto each other. We have seen this from many-many builders who just literally slap the first plan they can find onto your block and tell you this is the best outcome.

Choosing the Best Courtyard Design for Your HBH Project!

In conclusion, the placement of your courtyard in a house behind house design is a crucial decision that can greatly influence the functionality and appeal of your home including your future resale. Central courtyard designs (all though not always the best option!) offer numerous benefits, including potential improved solar orientation, enhanced privacy, and efficient space utilisation. However, it's important to weigh the potential drawbacks and work with experienced professionals (such as our team) to ensure the best outcome for your project and home. One question we like to ask our customers is a year after you move into your new home, it is the design, the space and the distances your eye can engage with. This is often only created through a specialised team of designers who are dedicated to house behind house excellence!

Whether you're considering a single storey HBH design or are exploring a potential double storey option, our team at House Behind House is here to help you make the best decision for your needs. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can assist with your next project.