Sandstone-clad sunken courtyard

A sunken courtyard enclosed by sandstone-clad walls, with bluestone stairs dropping in from the level above and stepping pavers set in groundcover.

This courtyard sits below the main level of the house, enclosed by high walls on three sides. A flight of bluestone stairs drops into it from the garden above, and the floor is bluestone stepping pavers set in a carpet of groundcover.

Every wall is clad in sandstone cut into irregular, many-sided pieces with a split face, laid in a random pattern with fine, even joints. The pieces mix gold, cream and grey tones, so the walls never look repetitive, and sawn sandstone capping finishes the top of each wall and follows the rake of the stair.

Bronze wall lights are fixed into the cladding at regular spacing, including down the stair wall, so the courtyard works after dark. In one corner the same stonework continues under a white timber pergola, and the cool grey of the bluestone sets off the warm colours of the sandstone.