Jo’s Place

The apartment block where Jo lives

I am in awe of Jo’s neighborhood. She lives in the central business district of Adelaide, within walking distance of everything interesting. 15 minutes gets you to the Central Market, where I will be spending too much time and money in the next few weeks. 15 in a different direction takes you to Rundle Mall, a street turned into a shopping and dining arcade. This neighborhood is the ideal location for a walker like me.

I am specifically in love with her block of apartments. They are two facing rows of two story buildings with a swath of lawn and trees between them and walkways leading from one end to the other. It is low and comfortable with lots of green. Truly charming.

At the fence

Jo’s apartment is on the first floor, so she has a garden and small courtyard. It is winter now, so the plants aren’t as lush as they would be in summer, but it is still green and pretty. Sunlight filters into the house through the garden and it is very appealing.

Jo’s courtyard

Although her apartment is not large, the courtyard & garden offer an additional room about equal in size to her living area - maybe 4 x 4 meters. It is partially covered, protected with walls on two sides, and furnished with a table and benches. It feels simultaneously cosy and spacious and seems to be an ideal mix of private and public space, as you can sit at the table and watch people passing by, but be shielded from them at bit by the garden.

I think I will put that to the test and take a cup of tea outside and read until it is time to make lunch.

Posted by kuri at July 03, 2008 10:33 AM