An inquiry into the courtyard's potential to contribute to the quality of the freestanding house in contemporary Brisbane architecture

TL;DRAbstract

With the prevalence of the pavilion type in Brisbane’s housing, the secluded outdoor space traditionally provided by the enveloping veranda is in danger of being lost under the pressure of increased densities and new building regulations. This thesis examines the option of recapturing these spaces and their qualities by combining outdoor space and seclusion and proposing a building type with inclusive outdoor rooms; the courtyard house. This type has a long history and can be found across many cultures, demonstrating that it is a transplantable. To avoid unsuitable and literal copies, an inquiry into the original idea of courtyard houses is undertaken by analysing both the raison d’etre and modular elements of vernacular models from various locations and times. Using the same method of inquiry, a deeper analysis of the qualities inherent in courtyard houses is then carried out with three contemporary case studies in Brisbane. In conclusion, the thesis proposes that successful models wh

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