Creative Courtyards

First Proposal - to strip the site of any previous associations and connotations, leaving us with a blank canvas - or to be more accurate an empty box - this will allow us to approach the site in a completely fresh way. Our box has five sides but is open to the sky, which fills it with light, and objects inside the box such as trees create patterns of shadow. The sides of the box are punctured by holes - windows - through which you can see into the space and light enters at night.

By introducing new elements to the space we can use these existing conditions to cast patterns of light and shade on the inner surfaces of our box ie the ground and walls. As light conditions change throughout the day, and throughout the year, so will the appearance and character of the courtyard.

There are different effects which can be achieved and idea can be adapted to suit the nature of each space, so the effects could be subtle and contemplative or vibrant and reassuring. Light can be filtered, tinted or reflected, and patterns repeated across the space.

Second Proposal - Contemporary Cloisters

After taking a look at the history of gardens in general, and courtyard gardens in particular, we decided to focus on the medieval cloister garden and base a design on the priciples behind it

this seemed appropriate, as these were the first gardens to be used specifically for the production of medicinal herbs and plants. also we were interested in their effective combination of form, function and symbolism.

a simple adaption of the persian paradise garden, the first gardens known to mankind, they laid emphasis on the pathways that crossed the garden, dividing it into four squares, incorporating the christian symbol of the cross into the design. with one neat twist they turned a fruitful oasis into a spare haven for contemplation

of course in our culturally sensitive, not to mention spiritually bankrupt times, religous symbolism is definitley out and innoffensive tokenism is in.

Hurray!

So what to do? Deconstruct the design of course! and take the opportunity to continue our experiments with intersecting planes of colour, and the relationship between the emotional and physical qualities of space. Yes really!

[Home] [furniture] [projects] [links]

we tried not to forget the functional aspects of the garden of course. its many low divided walls provide an abundance of places for weary patients to sit, rest and socialise. they also provide a continually shifting perspective, spaces lead into spaces, some of them open, some of them enclosed.

the colours of pink and blue were deliberately chosen for there restful, and yes, spiritual qualities, broken up by patches of greenery that themselves vary in size according to the demands of the space.

(images not to scale)