How to make the courtyard an attractive functional space

By Hosea Omole

Kenya: Many apartment and office developments are organised around a central courtyard. The courtyard is an important space for working and playing but more importantly for interaction.

It is also a great place to have a garden. Being inward looking, it is an oasis of sorts; providing an escape from the surrounding public as well as shelter from the elements.

A good courtyard garden should meet a number of needs. First, it should usher guests into the buildings surrounding the courtyard; providing a welcoming and lasting hello effect.

It should also serve as a recreational space that facilitates relaxation and entertainment for the residents and visitors.

Special attention should be given to the design of courtyard gardens. Especially so since textures, colours and details are viewed up close, the choice of materials, plants and the precision of details are particularly critical. Here are some more tips to help you with your courtyard garden.

Containers

Since the courtyard is an important circulation area, a typical courtyard garden will have some spaces completely paved. Still you can bring in plants by deploying containers and pots.

You can grow almost any plant in a container — provided it is big enough — including small trees, elegant bamboos and grasses, a wide range of shrubs and climbers, as well as perennials, bulbs, and ferns.

The amount of natural light in the courtyard is an important consideration when selecting what to plant.

Study the lighting patterns and identify the most exposed areas as well as the areas under perennial shade before making any planting decisions. 

If your courtyard is large with lots of hard surfaces, go for big, bold pots that will not get lost in hardscapes and surrounding architecture. At the same time, choose pots that complement the architectural style and finishes.

Outdoor Living

Take advantage of the privacy and the comfortable environment to create a shared and interactive living space. The surrounding building uses should provide clues as to what facilities to include in the courtyard garden.  For instance, in an office setting, it is a good idea to create quiet niches for informal meetings and working.

In a residential setting, consider designating an area for outdoor dining.

Raise or sink the level to define the space and construct screens with giant pots or raised beds filled with evergreens to add some privacy. Add appropriate garden furniture and you have an extra outdoor room for residents and their guests.

Whatever you do, make sure you include lush plantings to create a refreshing environment with a strong outdoor character.

You can also go further and include an ornate fountain or a reflective pond or pool to complete the scenery.

Colour and Texture

Courtyards can feel gloomy if surrounded by high monotonous walls.  You can lift the atmosphere and create more light by applying a bold colour scheme and variations in texture.

Find opportunities to apply vibrant colours and contrasting them with lush planting beds.

Where shade is a problem, off-white walls may be the answer. Get creative with textures to create interest by contrasting the wall with coarse textured planting and feature walls.

Create variations on the floor finishes by using two or three materials with contracting textures.

— The writer is a landscape architect