Inside the house’s open plan living space. Picture: Brett Boardman. Boyle says the unusual design, with the building wrapped around a central courtyard, also helped create a more sustainable home.

Courtyard House . by Williams Griffiths Architects. Client James Drew and Michaela Breilmann ... a coherent ‘u’ shaped plan was created, which has formed the eponymous courtyard, on the entrance side ...

Japanese architect Takashi Okuno designed this house with a U-shaped plan, to ensure every room has a view of the tree in the central courtyard. Located in Japan's Ehime Prefecture, Hiiragi's ...