Interior courtyard design multigenerational house

In Braunschweig's Weststadt, a not so attractive part of town, it was the wish of the 12 owners to create an inner courtyard with a high quality of outdoor living. The owners bought and renovated the two apartment buildings together. On the street side there are two 4-storey apartment buildings. The associated rear buildings with 1-2 floors, were previously used as garages and workshops and were converted into living space as part of the redevelopment.

A variety of uses were to be accommodated in the approx. 200m² fully paved area. The path connections to the various house entrances and to the bicycle shed were to remain paved in any case. In addition, the rubbish, a tree providing shade, a sandpit, a lawn, a playhouse, flowering flower beds and various seating areas in different sizes from 2-20 people had to be accommodated. In addition the specification came with a very small Buget the conversion in own contribution to make possible.

To come on economical way to green surfaces, centrally a large oval surface was developed. By cutting the concrete stone the form could be transferred and fastened with a new concrete edge. The stones in the oval as well as the base courses were removed and the area was filled with topsoil. For the lawn with playhouse and sandbox 2/3 of the area was planned. On the smaller remaining portion, a bluebell tree with an understory of perennials and low conifers could be planted and the trash can storage area accommodated. A pergola with a surrounding copper beech hedge as framing and roof of the parking area leads to visual protection in several directions. The garbage cans disappear, the entrance to the house behind them cannot be seen directly from the street and at the same time a room divider is created, which makes the large open area appear more comfortable. The Berankung of the pergola with a long and lush blooming shrub rose is the highlight in the yard.

In another place, a much smaller half oval was cut out of the paved area and laid out as a bed next to the front entrance of the multi-story house. A plant selection in silver-blue with Bühlaspekten in each season found large popularity.

Due to the high use pressure on the surface much the decision to lay roll lawn. The aha experience of the residents after a short construction phase to find a "finished" garden was another pleasing aspect.

After 5 years, the indoor courtyard continues to be used by many different generations. There are fewer toddlers and an increasing number of teenagers and seniors. There is play, coffee, barbecues with many people, partying and heavy use of the pathways. Despite this very simple and inexpensive design, no defects have occurred and the plants have been able to do well even in the small areas.