Philippe Baumann's Courtyard House is shielded behind a metal mesh cage
A grid of hinged metal shutters form a privacy screen across the windows of this terraced house in New York that architect Philippe Baumann designed for himself and his partner (+ slideshow).
![Courtyard House by Philippe Baumann](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/02/Courtyard-House-by-Philippe-Baumann_Michael-Moran_dezeen_468_3.jpg)
The property is located in the Gowanus neighbourhood of Brooklyn and was designed by the Baumann Architecture founder as a conversion and extension of an existing 1950s garage.
![Courtyard House by Philippe Baumann](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/02/Courtyard-House-by-Philippe-Baumann_Michael-Moran_dezeen_468_4.jpg)
The architect added a second floor, courtyard and basement to the original cinder block structure, which was stabilised by adding a new steel framework.
![Courtyard House by Philippe Baumann](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/02/Courtyard-House-by-Philippe-Baumann_Michael-Moran_dezeen_468_9.jpg)
A galvanised mesh screen continues the building line of the neighbouring structures and forms a protected smoking porch between the pavement and the house's wooden frontage.
![Courtyard House by Philippe Baumann](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/02/Courtyard-House-by-Philippe-Baumann_Bruce-Buck_dezeen_468_0.jpg)
This gap in front of the recessed facade also accommodates a balcony accessible from a corridor on the first floor.
![Courtyard House by Philippe Baumann](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/02/Courtyard-House-by-Philippe-Baumann_Michael-Moran_dezeen_468_6.jpg)
Windows incorporated into the facade on both ground and first floor levels can be concealed behind the folding shutters, which are covered in a more dense perforated mesh than the rest of the surface.
![Courtyard House by Philippe Baumann](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/02/Courtyard-House-by-Philippe-Baumann_Bruce-Buck_dezeen_468_3.jpg)
The use of mesh and exposed galvanised metal references the site's proximity to industrial landmarks, including a concrete production plant and an elevated train track.
![Courtyard House by Philippe Baumann](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/02/Courtyard-House-by-Philippe-Baumann_Bruce-Buck_dezeen_468_2.jpg)
Two doors set behind the metal framework provide access to a long and narrow unbroken space that contains the house's kitchen, living and dining areas.
![Courtyard House by Philippe Baumann](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/02/Courtyard-House-by-Philippe-Baumann_Michael-Moran_dezeen_468_5.jpg)
The ground floor plan is interrupted by a central courtyard, flanked on both sides by sliding glass doors that permit views of the sky and a fringe of plants sprouting from a rooftop garden.
![Courtyard House by Philippe Baumann](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/02/Courtyard-House-by-Philippe-Baumann_Bruce-Buck_dezeen_468_6.jpg)
A small patch of grass set into the concrete paving was added as a "reference to the American dream" – an ironic counterpoint to the home's urban setting. A corridor that runs along one edge of the courtyard connects the main house with a separate single-storey lounge area.
![Courtyard House by Philippe Baumann](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/02/Courtyard-House-by-Philippe-Baumann_Bruce-Buck_dezeen_468_5.jpg)
To the right of the main entrance is a kitchen accommodated behind bright yellow painted walls, while directly ahead is a staircase with open treads that leads to bedrooms on the first floor.
![Courtyard House by Philippe Baumann](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/02/Courtyard-House-by-Philippe-Baumann_Bruce-Buck_dezeen_468_7.jpg)
A raised walkway on top of the ground floor corridor leads from the landing to a vegetable plot on the roof of the lounge at the opposite side of the open space.
![Courtyard House by Philippe Baumann](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/02/Courtyard-House-by-Philippe-Baumann_Michael-Moran_dezeen_468_10.jpg)
A further staircase ascends from the first floor to a garden full of indigenous plants that looks out towards the Upper Bay and the railway line.
![Courtyard House by Philippe Baumann](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/02/Courtyard-House-by-Philippe-Baumann_Bruce-Buck_dezeen_468_1.jpg)
Materials throughout the interior are applied in their raw state to enhance their inherent character and maintain the consistent industrial aesthetic.
![Courtyard House by Philippe Baumann](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/02/Courtyard-House-by-Philippe-Baumann_Michael-Moran_dezeen_468_14.jpg)
The structural steel beams that punctuate the floor plates are left exposed, as are the concrete floors and cinder block walls in one of the bedrooms. A mesh panel flanking the staircase recalls the transparent facade cladding.
![Courtyard House by Philippe Baumann](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/02/Courtyard-House-by-Philippe-Baumann_Michael-Moran_dezeen_468_16.jpg)
Skylights introduce natural light into the bathroom and circulation areas, with the glass treads of the staircases ensuring it is able to permeate as far as the basement.
![Courtyard House by Philippe Baumann](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/02/Courtyard-House-by-Philippe-Baumann_Michael-Moran_dezeen_468_18.jpg)
Photography is by Michael Moran, unless otherwise stated.
![Courtyard House by Philippe Baumann](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/02/Courtyard-House-by-Philippe-Baumann_dezeen_3.gif)
![Courtyard House by Philippe Baumann](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/02/Courtyard-House-by-Philippe-Baumann_dezeen_1.gif)