Completed in 2021, the Courtyard House is located in a quiet suburb of Kukatpally, situated in the northwestern part of Hyderabad, Telangana
The client family requested easy communication between the areas designated for the different family units, and being composed of three generations, they wanted the project to accommodate both the playfulness of children and the discipline of middle age, and the tranquility of retirement in a single space.
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Other houses surround the project lot on three sides, limiting light, views, and ventilation. The architects at Urban Narratives, taking into account the client's requirements, solve the design challenges by deciding that if nature cannot embrace the house, the house can embrace nature itself: thus, the idea of the inner courtyard and the Courtyard House project is born.
Learning from the ancient Chettinad architecture of Madras, the use of the internal courtyard is considered one of the most efficient ways to achieve views, ventilation, and light, while also connecting the residing family with nature and helping to create a balance between built and unbuilt spaces. Distributive flows are designed through a play of voids, giving life to a natural space to enjoy the greenery.
As in various interior design projects, the visual connection between spaces facilitates interaction among family members, and in this case, the courtyard becomes an architectural node that connects all levels of the house, visually and spatially. Additionally, the house is surrounded by a thin water mirror that leads to the family temple: the stone path on the water creates the illusion of floating while guiding towards a more tranquil and spiritual courtyard.
The choice of natural materials for the composition of the Courtyard House is a pleasant element that characterizes the design by Urban Narratives: wood and white plastered walls complement each other, while an exposed concrete finish adds depth to the details. The entire house is floored with Kota stone except for the main bedroom on the first floor where handmade cement tiles are used. The outdoor areas have Kadapah stone floors. The house features minimal interiors with niches for all necessary utilities. The wood used is a 300-year-old reclaimed teak wood that makes the structure hollow finish another prominent design feature. The balcony on the first floor hosts a tree and serves as a transition between the exterior and interior.
