Happy House was an opportunity to build on ideas we’ve been developing over the years, adapting some earlier courtyard house designs. This 400 sq.m. residence utilizes several double height spaces, resulting in a more open flow internally. This is juxtaposed by the shell-like exterior of the house.

Happy House was one of our first investigations in the quest for modern solutions for smaller families in a limited space. Our main objective was to construct a foundational program that would accommodate change easily (ie. with minimal structural damage) as needed (for example, should the family expand). Rather than overloading the program with empty bedrooms at this given time, we also ensured most given rooms in the house could have that flexibility.

At its essence, Happy House is a courtyard house, appearing closed off and private from the outside, but is actually quite airy and bright from the inside. The garden space in Happy House gave us the opportunity to create a beautiful, private micro-environment for our clients.

Courtyards — private open spaces surrounded by walls or buildings — have long been in use in residential architecture. A courtyard allows its inhabitants comforts vital to any home — namely, light, privacy, security, and beauty. In more populated residential areas, an inhouse courtyard is a family’s private paradise, a hidden getaway and a great option for an entertainment area.