Set amongst an extensive collection of mature specimen palm trees, in Cuernavaca Mexico, the Courtyard House aims to exploit the benign climate and beautiful landscape by arranging the main living spaces around an open central courtyard. The distinction between outside and inside is blurred with large sliding glass screens allowing the house to remain completely open for most of the year. The exterior has smaller apertures or deep overhangs to maintain privacy and reduce solar gain. The courtyard features a massive fireplace built from volcanic stone quarried on site. White rendered masonry walls and stone floors keep the house cool in the daytime and radiate heat in the night.