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A Yellow Brick Carpet Transforms an Urban Courtyard Garden

February 28, 2024

It is always important to consider the views of any garden that you might enjoy from indoors. When a garden is in an urban environment, surrounded by tall buildings that overlook it, it is especially important to consider the birdseye view. In this Copenhagen, Denmark courtyard, the central courtyard was made much more interesting to the overlooking residents – simply by adding some yellow bricks.

Urban Courtyard Project Description From the Design Team

Created by 1:1 Landskab.

The idea behind renovating the courtyard of a housing block in Copenhagen was to make it a flexible and multifunctional space. The residents of the housing block developed their wishes for the redesign in cooperation with the landscape architects. The courtyard was to become a social gathering point for all residents, young and old, but at the same time, an aesthetic element providing a visual experience from the windows.

A paving pattern in light yellow and dark clinker bricks creates a carpet-like pattern in the courtyard. The pattern was inspired by the many ornaments seen on the housing façades in the neighborhood, but the carefully customized design has given the courtyard its own unique and modern identity. Carpets are associated with living rooms and coziness. While dining tables or sofa groups are usually set on living room carpets, a fountain adorns the center of the carpet in the courtyard.

An aerial view of a square with a fountain.
The new courtyard provides a community gathering place for bikes, strollers, picnic tables, flowering potted plants, and a central fountain.

In time, climbing hydrangeas will conquer the façades around the courtyard, adding the impression of flowering wallpaper to the courtyard carpet. The courtyard has become an extension of the residents’ private living rooms. They use it to meet, relax in the open, have meals outside when the weather permits, and raise flowers and herbs in terracotta pots. In the summertime, a South European atmosphere pervades the courtyard. At its edge, children can play on a miniature football field where an old rear building was demolished. Naturally, parking spots for bicycles are also provided.

A courtyard in front of a yellow building.
A view of the urban courtyard garden with its pretty yellow pavers that match the color of the building.
A water fountain in the middle of a tiled floor.
Fountains can be fairly easily installed as free-standing devices. Not only do they provide a focal point, but the sound of splashing water quiets the city’s noise in an urban courtyard-style garden.
A fountain in the middle of a courtyard.
Hydrangea shrubs planted in containers soften the expanse of paving and hardscaping.

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