20 Courtyards That Bring the Outdoors Indoors
See how the age-old architectural design element is incorporated into modern-day homes around the world
If you are standing in an atrium, you are in “a large, central space, which often extends upto several floors of a building and may be open or covered with a glass roof”. So says the Collins dictionary, defining the word.
A vernacular architectural design element that has been in vogue in public spaces and homes of yore, the modern-day atrium (often interchangeably used with courtyard) is not only a popular concept in hotels and shopping centres, but also now contemporary homes – albeit on a smaller scale. They are our version of luxury (of space) and our connect to the outdoors. Featured here are 20 atriums from homes all over the world, each one stunning in its uniqueness.
A vernacular architectural design element that has been in vogue in public spaces and homes of yore, the modern-day atrium (often interchangeably used with courtyard) is not only a popular concept in hotels and shopping centres, but also now contemporary homes – albeit on a smaller scale. They are our version of luxury (of space) and our connect to the outdoors. Featured here are 20 atriums from homes all over the world, each one stunning in its uniqueness.
2. Location: Surat
Firm: Studio Lagom
A sunken pebbled atrium in this Surat house, has been designed as an additional seating zone. Furnished with casual seating and a fresco-ed wall as a background, it’s a welcome change from the more formal living room.
See more images of this home here
Firm: Studio Lagom
A sunken pebbled atrium in this Surat house, has been designed as an additional seating zone. Furnished with casual seating and a fresco-ed wall as a background, it’s a welcome change from the more formal living room.
See more images of this home here
3. Location: London
Firm: Helen Green Design
The sit-out in this courtyard has a cosy vibe, with a rug underfoot and a fire place at arm’s length. Greenery all around adds a touch of the outdoors – a welcome addition in a confined space.
Firm: Helen Green Design
The sit-out in this courtyard has a cosy vibe, with a rug underfoot and a fire place at arm’s length. Greenery all around adds a touch of the outdoors – a welcome addition in a confined space.
4. Location: Goa
Firm: Architecture + Design Ankit Prahudessai
A modern-meets-rustic interpretation of the traditional courtyard, this space is stunning in its mix of brightly patterned cement tiles, a frangipani tree set in a granite bed, and a tree trunk that serves as a seat.
Tour the house here
Firm: Architecture + Design Ankit Prahudessai
A modern-meets-rustic interpretation of the traditional courtyard, this space is stunning in its mix of brightly patterned cement tiles, a frangipani tree set in a granite bed, and a tree trunk that serves as a seat.
Tour the house here
5. Location: Queensland
Firm: Southeast Floors
Which came first – the pool or the atrium? Whichever, it’s a great idea to have a pool literally a couple of steps away from the bedroom – and the fabulous view of the ocean doesn’t hurt either.
Firm: Southeast Floors
Which came first – the pool or the atrium? Whichever, it’s a great idea to have a pool literally a couple of steps away from the bedroom – and the fabulous view of the ocean doesn’t hurt either.
6. Location: Portland
Firm: Garrison Hullinger Interior Design
This showstopper atrium features teak planking, pebble borders and an impactful accent wall featuring concrete tiles – all in all, an attention grabbing space for a good ol’ cuppa or elaborate evening drinks.
Firm: Garrison Hullinger Interior Design
This showstopper atrium features teak planking, pebble borders and an impactful accent wall featuring concrete tiles – all in all, an attention grabbing space for a good ol’ cuppa or elaborate evening drinks.
7. Location: Pune
Firm: MV Architects
A small pooja altar in a large atrium doubles as a prayer space as well as a decorative feature in this Pune home, thanks to patterned marble floors and pebbled borders.
Firm: MV Architects
A small pooja altar in a large atrium doubles as a prayer space as well as a decorative feature in this Pune home, thanks to patterned marble floors and pebbled borders.
8. Location: Ecuador
Firm: Window World
When you can’t go to the jungle, bring the jungle to you. So here’s an courtyard-turned-greenhouse, full of tropical greenery, beautifully illuminated with uplighters to stunning effect.
Firm: Window World
When you can’t go to the jungle, bring the jungle to you. So here’s an courtyard-turned-greenhouse, full of tropical greenery, beautifully illuminated with uplighters to stunning effect.
9. Location: Delhi
Firm: Kumar Moorthy & Associates
This two storey house is built around an atrium, allowing all floors to receive ample natural light.
Firm: Kumar Moorthy & Associates
This two storey house is built around an atrium, allowing all floors to receive ample natural light.
10. Location: Thrissur
Firm: LIJO.RENY.architects
The double-height living room creates a sense of relief and wonder. Relief at the volume of space in a relatively narrow house and wonder at the lush bamboo growth in the adjacent atrium which makes the living room look like a large, airy and a welcoming space.
Firm: LIJO.RENY.architects
The double-height living room creates a sense of relief and wonder. Relief at the volume of space in a relatively narrow house and wonder at the lush bamboo growth in the adjacent atrium which makes the living room look like a large, airy and a welcoming space.
11. Location: Kansas City
Firm: Hufft
A Dogwood tree stands tall in the centre of the house, surrounded by the dining room (left), kitchen (right) and the living room (background right). All-around decking serves to heighten the effect of the solitary tree.
See more courtyard designs here
Firm: Hufft
A Dogwood tree stands tall in the centre of the house, surrounded by the dining room (left), kitchen (right) and the living room (background right). All-around decking serves to heighten the effect of the solitary tree.
See more courtyard designs here
12. Location: Los Angeles
Firm: KKC Fine Homes
This atrium is effectively a sunroom. With blinds on one end affording privacy and some shade, and furnished with comfortable sofas, it is an ideal spot for catching a nap or taking in the winter sun.
Firm: KKC Fine Homes
This atrium is effectively a sunroom. With blinds on one end affording privacy and some shade, and furnished with comfortable sofas, it is an ideal spot for catching a nap or taking in the winter sun.
13. Location: Bangalore
Firm: Cadence Architects
An oasis of green like this one is the perfect way to bring the outdoors indoors. Glass walls all-around allow all in the house to enjoy uninterrupted views.
See more pictures here
Firm: Cadence Architects
An oasis of green like this one is the perfect way to bring the outdoors indoors. Glass walls all-around allow all in the house to enjoy uninterrupted views.
See more pictures here
14. Location: Houston
Firm: Shade House Development
A stark bathroom gets a touch of the outdoors via a pebbled enclosure housing a lone tree. The feathery plant adds a touch of softness and colour to an all-white, minimalist space.
Firm: Shade House Development
A stark bathroom gets a touch of the outdoors via a pebbled enclosure housing a lone tree. The feathery plant adds a touch of softness and colour to an all-white, minimalist space.
15. Location: Hyderabad
Firm: na Architects
The courtyard in this house shelters a zen garden, replete with the mandatory trees, a water body and rocks.
Firm: na Architects
The courtyard in this house shelters a zen garden, replete with the mandatory trees, a water body and rocks.
16. Location: Delhi
Firm: Kumar Moorthy & Associates
This atrium situated in the centre of the home where all rooms converge, features a miniature rock garden and the statue of a deity.
Firm: Kumar Moorthy & Associates
This atrium situated in the centre of the home where all rooms converge, features a miniature rock garden and the statue of a deity.
17. Location: Melbourne
Firm: Nathan Burkett Design
This tiny 6m X 6m courtyard is actually an extension of the kitchen inside and doubles as an entertainment area. Curved bricks and a verdant accent wall work together to create a softer feel amidst hard, straight lines.
Firm: Nathan Burkett Design
This tiny 6m X 6m courtyard is actually an extension of the kitchen inside and doubles as an entertainment area. Curved bricks and a verdant accent wall work together to create a softer feel amidst hard, straight lines.
18. Location: Hyderabad
Firm: Aamir and Hameeda Associates
A bathroom envisaged as an atrium, features a glass roof and a sunken shower, surrounded by plants – all to make you feel like you are bathing in the outdoors.
Take a tour of the house
Firm: Aamir and Hameeda Associates
A bathroom envisaged as an atrium, features a glass roof and a sunken shower, surrounded by plants – all to make you feel like you are bathing in the outdoors.
Take a tour of the house
19. Location: Pune
Firm: Studio Hu’māne
Here is a courtyard that radiates calm in a sunlit yellow setting. A louvered roof and wall facilitate circulation of air, while the plants and the tiny water body help to cool the place.
Firm: Studio Hu’māne
Here is a courtyard that radiates calm in a sunlit yellow setting. A louvered roof and wall facilitate circulation of air, while the plants and the tiny water body help to cool the place.
20. Location: Hyderabad
Firm: Moriq
The entrance to this home opens on to a spectacular atrium. A shimmering pool of water that features miniature trees is reminiscent of a mirage.
Read more:
Are Courtyards & Atriums a Gateway to Health & Happiness?
6 Atriums That Inspire Calm, Breezy Living
Tell us:
Which of these atriums did you like the most and why? Do tell us in the comments section.
Firm: Moriq
The entrance to this home opens on to a spectacular atrium. A shimmering pool of water that features miniature trees is reminiscent of a mirage.
Read more:
Are Courtyards & Atriums a Gateway to Health & Happiness?
6 Atriums That Inspire Calm, Breezy Living
Tell us:
Which of these atriums did you like the most and why? Do tell us in the comments section.
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Firm: elaine richardson architect
A central courtyard, open to the sky, sandwiched between the dining and living areas in The Open House has a sunny disposition, in part due to natural light streaming in, and in part due to the bright yellow cushions and light-toned cedar battens that enclose the atrium.
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