While homes have gotten bigger, building lots in general have gotten smaller over the past decade, forcing the homebuilders to look for ways to make better use of space both inside and outside a home.
As a consequence, the courtyard, an ancient expression of "outside-in" architecture, has sprung up all over the country, becoming incorporated in designs of many new homes.
This private, protected open space within the confines of a home’s footprint takes the form of side yard use or front courtyards for entries. They can boast wine-tasting rooms, waterfalls, fountains, outdoor kitchens and outdoor furniture as comfy as any indoor variety can offer.
L.Sprague DeCamp, author of the classic book, "The Ancient Engineers," says courtyards were present in both Asian and European residences centuries ago.
Larger Etruscan houses were built on the Near Eastern central court plan, according to DeCamp, "with a hole in the roof over the central court and a cistern below the hole to catch the rain water."
In ancient Roman times, homes were built with solid, thick exterior walls, permitting light to enter the interior only through roof space and inward-facing window openings for protection against invaders or thieves. These early courtyards also offered a degree of coolness within their mud-brick confines during hot summer months.
Small window openings were common and glass was used in only the most expensive homes and castles, while shutters remained the more common way to keep out the elements.
DeCamp says the last two centuries of the Roman Republic saw other types of dwellings begin to take shape. "The rich built large country houses, called villas. .....The traditional house, which was closed in upon itself, now unfolded and opened outward, like a flower. The peace of the early Principate made it no longer necessary to build each house like a miniature fortress."
Courtyards provide a much-needed opportunity for respite to the American homeowner, whose increasing lack of free time makes private, relaxing spaces like these even more precious.
Recessing the entry door, reconfiguring and splitting garage spaces up to make room for a courtyard, and even adding a wrought iron or solid wood security gate to the equation have become popular designs with homebuyers. An outdoor anteroom can give you the ability to live and entertain outdoors during the good-weather months while offering private lounging areas shielded from the view of nosy neighbors.
Ancient and historical architecture are reborn within even the most contemporary of American homes these days, incorporating domes, entry porticoes, porte cocheres, butler’s pantries and dining room roundhouses.
Housingzone.com cites some benefits of courtyard designs, pointing out better ventilation as well as a higher degree of security. In today’s energy efficient homes, natural ventilation is an important issue. Rooms bordering courtyards can experience more air movement within a home as well as provide natural heating and lower cooling costs. Security is enhanced with the use of courtyards since (although few home buyers will leave exterior windows open over night) courtyards are surrounded by windows not located on a home’s exterior.
Another great benefit is that the new American courtyard can be incorporated into even the smallest of floor plans designs. This alone can at last make us believe that a taste of "la dolce vita" is no longer reserved only for the most affluent of homeowners.
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