This project reverses traditional concepts of house and yard within a typical single-family detached suburban neighborhood by placing the building elements at the edge of the site rather than at its center. These elements, including the house and a limestone perimeter wall, extend the house's living space to include an integral courtyard.
The relationship between these two elements is used to expand the home's sense of living space, extend the warm seasons in a cold climate, and promote a healthy lifestyle by increasing exposure to sunlight, and enhancing the connection between the indoor and outdoor spaces.
The courtyard becomes the central focus, an outdoor living room that is developed as a combination of hard surface and lush vegetation. This outdoor living space includes a fruit and vegetable garden in the courtyard, as well as a roof deck and spice garden on the garage, and a perch on the top of the house. A portion of the courtyard extends under the living room and creates an outdoor kitchen and entertainment area. Mosquitoes are a menace in Manitoba, and the outdoor kitchen is equipped with curtains that mitigate their impact.
Winnipeg summers can be quite hot, and so the courtyard also integrates water features including a shallow pond, and water sprayers and misters that modify and control the surrounding microclimate and contribute to plant growth, comfort, and delight. A fire pit within the courtyard also adds a dimension to life in the shoulder seasons.
The 3,000-square-foot home designed for a professional couple is a mix of 10-foot ceilings and double-height spaces. Living space including cooking, reading, working, and social areas capitalize on the sunlight and Manitoba's renowned big sky by being situated on the upper floor level.
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