Nothing makes the connection between indoor and outdoor space like a courtyard. This week's roundup of images from Pinterest celebrates some of the best examples, from a Japanese house built around a family's beloved tree, to the open-air courtyard of an apartment block in one of LA's densest neighbourhoods.

Hiiragi's House, Japan, by Takashi Okuno
Japanese architect Takashi Okuno's latest project, Hiiragi's House, was designed to sit on a plot of land containing a tree which had been nurtured there by several generations of the owner's family. The central courtyard enables this tree to be seen from every room.
Find out more about Hiiragi's House ?

The Drawers House, Vietnam, by MIA Design Studio
Plant-lined courtyards with hanging greenery open up this family home in Vietnam, which consists of three single-storey segments. Designed by MIA Design Studio, the courtyards provide outdoor space without compromising the family's privacy. Find out more about The Drawers House ?

Laurelhurst Residence, USA, by MW Works
American studio MW Works knocked down walls in this 1960s Seattle home to create a more open layout. A garden courtyard became the focal point of the home, being visible from the living room and other rooms in the house.
Find out more about Laurelhurst Residence ?

Casa Campestre 107, Mexico, by DCPP
This T-shaped house in Mexico City incorporates two courtyards ? one at the front and one at the rear of the residence. Designed by architecture studio DCPP, ea...