Courtyards
Small urban courtyards may appear easy to design but can look bland without careful design consideration. With the entire space often able to be seen from the house, it can be a challenge to create interest and mystery. It can also be tricky to include the features we desire in our outdoor spaces such as dining and seating areas, aspects like sculptures and water, and good planting. Landscape designer Trudy Crerar created the courtyard garden at left and says: “For me classic, symmetrical layouts can fall into a trap of being very static. I suggested asymmetry to make a better depth of field and make a more dynamic garden. And as it’s the main outdoor living space, I felt there was more potential to unlock. I like to lure people into a space.” The weathered corten steel screens are positioned so you don’t see everything in the garden at once, and serve to create some mystery. The arbour has a form reminiscent of a whare.