A prefabricated house in one of Australia's most remote and harsh landscapes (House tour)

Traditionally, prefabricated houses and homes in the Australian landscape have relied on imported European architectural designs, imposed on the landscape and unsuitable for the rural living experience. Courtyard House is a prefabricated house by CHROFI that challenges this old standard, instead embracing the harshness of the Australian environment.

The house operates quietly by blending into its surroundings. The modules that make up the structure stand side-by-side and are linked by a central courtyard. This alters the sense of space within the house, as views extend through the rooms of the prefabricated house and then further out into the landscape, successfully connecting the interior and exterior areas.

As a prefabricated house, the building's weight is determined by its weight, as the house is transported to the site on the back of a truck. Building a prefabricated house in a controlled off-site environment offers the potential for accelerated construction time and reduced waste management.

Because prefabricated houses are built under an outdoor roof covering the property, the house itself is protected from the elements while significantly minimizing the impact on the site. For Courtyard House, CHROFI used Australian hardwood for the primary cladding; its natural finish speaks to the surrounding landscape of gumtrees.