Gardens have changed significantly over the last couple of decades, and clever architects and designers know that incorporating an outdoor living space can improve a dwelling's aesthetic, not to mention its value. In the 1980s, manicured lawns framed with box hedges and annuals were a common site. It seemed that both space and water supply were unlimited. Courtyards for Modern Living presents beautiful gardens which have been designed for locations around the world that represent the changed reality of drier climates, and heralded in a preference for native species, drought-tolerant plants, and even a new popularity of the humble succulent. Contemporary houses also reflect a move towards enjoying larger houses built on smaller sites, so that available space is turned into a multifunctional courtyard that is usually accessed from the kitchen and living areas. Author Stephen Crafti ( Beach Houses Down Under, H2O and Ultimate Urban Makeover presents an inspired study of what makes outdoor rooms so appealing. Including many tips to guide the architect or the DIY enthusiast, Courtyards for Modern Living features courtyards, balconies and gardens that are extensions of the very house itself.

From large-scale courtyards to smaller outdoor areas, this new volume is packed w/innovative design ideas. Recognizing the growing trend towards healthy, outdoor living, this book features a beautiful array of the latest courtyard spaces by world-renowned architects.

The courtyard house is one of the most enduring architectural forms, transcending regional, historical and cultural boundaries. Its balance of simple appropriate construction, environmental control and social and familial structures continues to engage architects and architectural historians. That the courtyard house is still relevant today is indicated through its ability to accommodate continual transformation without losing any of its formal integrity and cultural roots. This book presents a series of viewpoints on courtyard houses from different periods and in different regions around the world; from the Harem courtyards of the Topkapi Palace and the low-cost housing settlements of Protectorate Casablanca, to contemporary design strategies for courtyard houses in the arid Gulf region. Together, the essays illuminate issues of particular relevance in architectural, art historical, and conservation discourses today.

Striking full-color photography complements a study of the use of theourtyard in indoor and outdoor design, capturing a diverse array of exampleshat range from ancient Rome and medieval Europe to modern-day San Diego,racing the history of the design style, and explaining how a courtyard canet the mood and tone of any structure.

Horticulturist, garden designer, and much-praised author Toby Musgrave (Empire of Plants), in concert with Country Living Gardener, offers an inspirational and practical look at a most picturesque garden style. "Takes readers on a worldwide tour...[includes] plants well-suited to limited spaces and special techniques designers use to make small areas appear larger."--Gardener A courtyard garden makes the perfect personal haven, and now anyone can create a dream refuge with these beautiful design ideas, detailed blueprints, suggestions for glorious plantings, and inspirational color photos. Every eye-opening page showcases a different atmospheric example of outdoor living, from an Italian Renaissance garden complete with grotto, to a Japanese courtyard filled with dramatically shaped rocks, graceful trees, and a simple but lovely gate. A Latin Patio features extravagantly bright colors and striking plants; form follows function in the Modernist style; and a Tropical Paradise, with its luxuriant foliage and cascading water, reinvigorates the mind and spirit. Whether you're starting fresh or transforming an existing garden, you'll find a wealth of alluring possibilities.

A wealth of ideas for creating atmospheric gardens and stylish, contemporaty ideas for outdoor living and entertaining. More than 300 evocative photographs.

Cultural sustainability is a very important aspect of the overall sustainability framework and is regarded as the ‘fourth pillar’ alongside the other three: environmental, economic, and social sustainability. However, the concept is neither fully explored, nor widely accepted or recognized. This book elicits the interplay of ‘nature-culture-architecture’ and theorizes the concept of ‘cultural sustainability’ and ‘culturally sustainable architecture.’ It identifies four key themes in Chinese philosophy: Harmony with Heaven, Harmony with Earth, Harmony with Humans, and Harmony with Self, along with Greek philosopher Aristotle’s physics: form, space, matter, and time, it sets them as criteria to evaluate the renewed and new courtyard housing projects constructed in China since the 1990s. Using an innovative architectural and social science approach, this book examines the political, economic, social, and spatial factors that affect cultural sustainability. Supported by a multiplicity of data including: field surveys, interviews with residents, architects, and planners, time diaries, drawings, photos, planning documents, observation notes, and real estate brochures, the book proposes new courtyard garden house design strategies that promote healthy communities and human care for one another, a concept that is universally applicable. The volume is a first opportunity to take a holistic view, to encompass eastern and western, tangible and intangible, cultures in the theorization of ‘cultural sustainability’ and ‘culturally sustainable architecture.’ It is a comprehensive contribution to architectural theory.

- This lavishly illustrated volume contains more than 30 case studies of recent Japanese residential courtyard designs - Provides a glimpse into the importance of the courtyard as a space in Japan - An inspirational guide to recent design and perfect for residential and landscape designers - Includes technical drawings that provide additional detail into the rigorous planning and design - Provides an important overview of acclaimed Japanese designers Residences occupy a pivotal position in Japanese architecture. As an extension of the residential space, the Japanese courtyard design is unique. This beautifully illustrated book is a collection of stunning residential courtyard designs, providing an inspiring insight into the importance of a courtyard in Japanese culture. Containing more than 30 cases studies and including technical drawings, the book reveals the creativity and beauty of Japanese courtyard design and shines a light on the acclaimed designers who produce these visually stunning works. Meticulously planned and rigorously designed, the courtyards in this book will serve to inspire both residential and landscape designers. By taking the Japanese courtyard as a concept into their own designs, designers will be able to create more personal and comfortable residential spaces.

Fifty years after its first publication, Robin Boyd's bestselling The Australian Ugliness remains the definitive statement on how we live and think in the environments we create for ourselves. In it Boyd rallied against Australia's promotion of ornament, decorative approach to design and slavish imitation of all things American. 'The basis of the Australian ugliness,' he wrote, 'is an unwillingness to be committed on the level of ideas. In all the arts of living, in the shaping of all her artefacts, as in politics, Australia shuffles about vigorously in the middle - as she estimates the middle - of the road, picking up disconnected ideas wherever she finds them.' Boyd was a fierce critic, and an advocate of good design. He understood the significance of the connection between people and their dwellings, and argued passionately for a national architecture forged from a genuine Australian identity. His concerns are as important now, in an era of suburban sprawl and inner-city redevelopment, as they were half a century ago. Caustic and brilliant, The Australian Ugliness is a masterpiece that enables us to see our surroundings with fresh eyes. This handsome anniversary edition is complemented by Robin Boyd's original sketches for the book and a new afterword by major contemporary architects.

Courtyards are among the most versatile elements of architecture. They are non built-up but designed open spaces surrounded by a single structure, several elements, or even different buildings. In very different sizes and shapes, very private or publicly accessible, they assume central roles in every conceivable building task, capable of defining the character of the entire architectural composition. Masterpieces: Courtyard Architecture + Design shows a wide scope of creative ideas for handling this exciting but very much underrated aspect of architecture. What makes this task particular interesting is the interplay of architecture, landscape planning and interior design. The selection includes the projects of some of the most important firms as well as impressive works by upcoming stars.