The Joy of Designing an Off-Grid Tropical Courtyard House
As someone passionate about design and architecture, I’ve always dreamed of building my own home and living off-grid.
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My journey to designing a sleek and modern tropical courtyard house began many years ago while travelling through Ghana. I was struck by the loss of traditional housing forms in that country’s metropolitan centres, which led to a desire to create a modern self-built home that could pay homage to these conventional forms of housing. Through my extensive travels, I had come to appreciate the simplicity and beauty of traditional living and sought to bring that spirit into the home I would build for myself.
I had settled on designing a central garden surrounded by connected living quarters. This type of design I now know as a compound house, reflected many of the communal structures I saw on my travels through West Africa. Many years passed, and I refined the concept into a courtyard house, which reminded me of my time growing up in the Caribbean as a boy.
But What is a Courtyard House?
The standard Ghanaian courtyard house has numerous private dwellings arranged around a square. Each home belongs to a different relative, with other properties developed behind this arrangement to fit additional family members as required. But the courtyard house is common globally. It is a recognised housing type often built around a central green space and used by extended families to provide shelter and security in a communal setting.
Modern homes in Ghana, however, have simulated the European and American detached and semi-detached dwelling forms, focusing instead on the nuclear family setup.
My South Aburi Hillside Plot
Situated less than an hour’s drive inland of Accra, the green and breezy hills of Adamorobe (more popularly known as “Aburi South”) have long been a choice destination for local day-trippers, wealthy property developers and expatriates wanting to live or hang out in a relatively cool malaria-free part of town.
The residential double-plot with full title, registration, and a 100-year lease measures 100 x 161 square feet (0.37 acres) and has magnificent views of the surrounding landscape. It’s a brisk steep walk to the top of this hill, where most locals prefer to build their houses by the roadside. But if you’ve got a 4-wheel drive or don’t mind the trek, there’s no risk of flooding up here.
Dwelling Requirements
We aimed to create a charming courtyard house with a quiet hideaway feel. Pathways, fences, windows, walls and trees would abound. Even guests could enjoy ensuite bedrooms and their own private garden space.
Several design attempts later, we came up with a basic plan:
- One main ensuite bedroom
- One open-plan living kitchen and dining area
- Two ensuite guest bedrooms
- One working gym
- One Coach House
- One natural pool
Designing the Floor Plans
These early concept drawings are the draft ground and first-floor plans that started the whole process. But our initial slanting design and acute angles allowed for too many redundant spaces. It’s one of the first things architects look at when evaluating housing design. We soon scrapped the old plans.
This courtyard house would have to be more functional and livable. We sought a more compact structure. Dreamt of traditional techniques applied to modern construction methods as part of a change in thinking and reflection.
The new design would embody a modern style and vibe while reflecting local climatic conditions. Upstairs we could toy around with mezzanine levels and roof terraces to give a treehouse feel to the master bedroom.
A central courtyard would connect the three volumes of the home. The paths provide easy passage between the separate structures. We added a large natural pool, Tilapia breeding pods, a pergola relaxation area, and gardens and lawns that would knit it all together.
The Coach House and pergola area acted as a sunlight buffer in the afternoon. But my initial design would pose many problems functionally. Not to mention that the building was massive.
Many Ghanaians looked at it and laughed with disbelief. They would build several high-rise apartment blocks on the same site. So, we created a more economical redesign while sticking to the plan for ample space inside and out.
The Final Design
The new site design no longer has a large footprint, with the first floor on one section only. This change offers significant savings on concrete decking costs. As a result, we should worry more about the landscaping and site work budget than building costs.
We have a modern open living room with generous space for entertaining. By using sliding doors, we have a makeshift al fresco feel. Both sides of the living room can open up, setting the living space between two beautiful green spaces. The living room will allow a natural breeze to flow freely, oriented in the north-south wind direction.
A staircase to the side of the living area can be accessed from the living room and outdoors to enable others to access the terrace and balcony upstairs.
The bathroom upstairs has a mini living space that looks through the balcony into the landscaped courtyard. It also has a large walk-in closet and a Master Bath with a shower.
The gym and one of the guest bedrooms below share a pebbled courtyard.
We found a way to integrate the pool into the central garden, which looks great. Stepped at the entrance with a small plant at the centre of the steeped part to cast a reflection on the water, the organic pool has a natural filter, pump, plants, and sand. It is about 4ft at its deepest end and surrounded by mosquito-repellant plants just in case, even if the site is a ‘mosquito-free’ zone.
The garden is stepped and used for various plantings and trees. As a result, every room has abundant natural light and green nature views.
For the entrance gate and façade, we emphasise vertical lines that give off a modern feel without using concrete. Made of vertical metal slats, the Gate and its entire stretch will be on wheels. There are also vertical slats over the fence in the front, which cast dramatic shadows in sunlight.
In Conclusion
Building a dream home is a journey that requires patience, perseverance, and a willingness to adapt. The courtyard house I have designed reflects my travels, experiences, and desire to live in harmony with the environment. It is a modern, sustainable, off-grid home that pays homage to traditional housing forms and incorporates communal living principles.
The design process was not without its challenges. Boreholes, poly tanks, and an organic waste disposal system are all hidden around the site. We had to overcome issues with the slanting design and find ways to make the home more functional and livable. But through careful planning, redesigns, and collaboration, we created a beautiful and functional home that exceeded our expectations.
The courtyard house is a versatile and flexible design that can be adapted to suit different needs and preferences. It is a perfect example of how anyone can design a dream home through a step-by-step approach.
Whether you’re looking to build a home in Ghana or elsewhere, I hope this article has inspired and guided your journey.
- You may also like The Ultimate Guide to Buying and Selling Land in Ghana.
