The Courtyard House
The Courtyard House is a renovation and addition to a single story house in a quiet Durham neighborhood. The tight budget meant much of the existing structure was to be preserved, and the small lot meant limited room for expansion. The resulting design made use of a central courtyard space as an outdoor room and extension of the public-facing living spaces.
The wrap-around porch doubles as outdoor seating and planting area, while pervious pavers keep the courtyard well drained and dry. The exterior appearance drew inspiration from the pines heavily populating the site, featuring a natural wood siding carefully selected to resist rot and insects. The living room was constructed over the foundations of the existing carport, a clever move which saved money while also adding valuable square footage to the home.
