Developer opens the door to the return of the courtyard
Visit to Italy inspires a vision for public space
When John Santasiero, principal of the Houston development company Riverway Homes, visited Italy a few years ago, he was struck by the palazzos, impressive buildings built around open courtyards.
“You’d have a space that’s lit up by the sun,” he said. “And they’d become very public spaces — small and large.”
For Santasiero, the architectural feature is an elegant solution to the demands for density and open spaces — a common courtyard can provide more outdoor space than individual backyards, while also providing a place to socialize. So for his latest project in the Washington Corridor, Thompson Court, he situated 16 townhomes around a shared park.
According to Riverway Homes, the Washington Corridor has seen a 63 percent increase in homes sold over the past year. In the hot residential market, Santasiero believes the shared courtyard will differentiate Thompson Court from other new construction.
“Urban space is at a premium,” he said. “So creating any space is better than none.”
Riverway Homes is also bringing shared open space to single family homes for a development in Spring Branch, in which homes will be built around a shared green space.
Of course, courtyards have a long history in Texas — many of the missions were built around courtyards. Historic Houston buildings, such as Midtown’s Isabella Court, feature courtyards as well. But over time, American architecture moved away from the courtyard, building homes with fenced-off private yards instead.
“You drive in a shared driveway and you pull in the garage. There is no space. There’s no opportunity to meet your neighbors,” Santasiero said of a traditional townhome layout. “We’re bringing old ideas of architecture and community to new homes inside Loop 610.”