Sometimes all it takes is a small move.  Here, that move is an elevated courtyard.

Though it seems not like much, that small change in elevation makes a big difference.  There’s something more arresting, more precious, about the courtyard floating as it floats above the floor plane like a coffee table.  It changes the feeling of the space compared to a traditional courtyard, and also when compared to the open patio space on the other side.

Overall this addition to an existing house straightforward, wrapping around said courtyard and stepping down as it does.  But that little extra stepping detail makes the composition sing in new ways.