Brooklyn Courtyard House by DXA Studio Is Arranged Around a Central Atrium
It’s not often that a New York City architect gets to work with an extra-wide townhouse, but the Brooklyn Courtyard House afforded DXA Studio just that opportunity.
The client had purchased a standard 17-foot-wide townhouse in Cobble Hill, as well as the adjacent vacant lot, giving DXA over 30 feet of developable space. The firm used this chance to create a 5,600-square-foot, three-story home that blends with its Italianate neighbors from the outside and is entirely arranged around a central courtyard inside.
Outside, the façade of the house is simple, contemporary masonry with punched openings. Inside, the courtyard does much more than let in ample sunlight and air. It provides a continuous visual connection through all three floors, offers an outdoor play space for the children, and lets the adults keep an eye on their little ones from any vantage point in the house.
The garage and entry parlor face the street, and beyond them is the double-height living/dining area, which opens to a 1,200-square-foot terrace through a folding glass wall. Looking up through the courtyard from the first floor one can see the children’s playroom and bedrooms on the floor above and the office and guest suites on the third floor.
DXA incorporated plenty of eco-friendly elements, including high-performance glazing locally sourced materials, and high-efficiency mechanical systems. Additionally, a green roof was installed to better insulate the home and slow storm water absorption.
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Photos courtesy of DXA Studio
