A courtyard is a room

We design outdoor space with the same tools we use indoors: proportion, threshold, and a clear idea of what you see when you sit down.

Proportion first

A courtyard that’s too wide feels like a leftover; too narrow and it’s a light well. We aim for something close to the proportions of the largest indoor room it opens onto, so moving between the two feels continuous rather than jarring.

The threshold matters

How you cross from inside to outside — a step, a level change, a wide sliding panel — sets the whole tone. Get it flush and generous and the courtyard becomes part of the house. Get it fussy and it stays a place you visit.