Warm and inviting with flourishes of vibrant colour, this cosy Gold Coast courtyard is highly evocative
If you’re a fan of the exotic and a lover of both vibrant colour and earthy hues, the Moroccan approach to design is perfect. In this Moroccan-themed courtyard, the elements of this timeless design style meld perfectly to give the owner of this home in Queensland’s Sanctuary Cove an outdoor space that is as alluring as it is comfortable.
Set on a lower level than the house and measuring only 30 square metres, this evocative courtyard shows what can be achieved in a small space. Initially designed by Michael Webber Architecture, it was built by multi-award-winning Noel Brown of Bioscapes Gold Coast and his highly experienced construction team.
Noel’s client had travelled to Morocco, loved it and wanted her own piece of it at home — a space where she could feel like she was still there. To achieve this, the courtyard blends Arabian, European and Mediterranean infuences. This creates a look that hints at the arid harshness of the desert but with a touch of class and the vibrance of colourful furnishings and dramatic plantings.
Starting from the ground up, Bioscapes installed new tiling — hand-fixed silver travertine laid in a five-sized modular pattern. The rear wall of the courtyard was given an exotic flourish with the installation of a trio of large laser-cut metal panels boasting a Moroccan pattern. These are complemented by three mirrors placed along a side wall.
This is a cosy, inviting space designed to encourage people to gather and relax, so comfortable seating was critical. “To create the seating, we custom-built aluminium frames which we then clad with Silvergum ModWood, which is primarily made from recycled materials,” says Noel. “For the custom-built seating, stone tiling and rendered walls, grey tones were selected, giving the plantings and colourful stylings an opportunity to really pop in the courtyard.”
As the seating was specially built to fit the space, Noel also arranged for comfy, custom-made cushions. In fact, Noel was completely in charge of styling the space. “The gas outdoor fire pit is the central feature, and it doubles as another seat during the day or a table for refreshments,” says Noel. “The decor also includes the traditionally shaped Moroccan mirrors along with vibrant Moroccan fabrics and cushions. The solid-brass camel sculptures, lanterns and pewter side tables really set the scene.”
Less is more was the approach to planting, with feature plants acting as focal points and adding visual drama. “The multi-headed dragon tree is the main feature in the courtyard and was selected for its dynamic impact as well as authenticity as the tree has its origins in Morocco,” explains Noel. “The opposite corner features a yucca, referencing the harshness of the Moroccan desert.” “The lighting was an important part of the project,” he continues. “We supplied and installed Aqualux lighting, which included strip lighting underneath the seating and the asymmetric uplights mounted in the back of the seating. These highlight the laser-cut screens and bathe the area in an amber glow once the sun goes down.”
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