Since the early civilizations the courtyard house has been the most prevalent architectural typology in the Mediterranean and Middle East regions, all characterized by temperate and hot-dry climates. The spatial organization of these dwellings is defined by a central open-air space on which the living rooms depend and receive light and air. The inner courtyard, the main architectural element, functions as a distribution element: the courtyard is the core of the house and therefore of daily activities, protecting the family’s intimacy. Courtyards have been used in several dwelling types according to each climatic region and to the local culture it belongs; the architecture of the courtyard house varies depending upon geography, religion, or ethnic culture, economic conditions, extension and morphological structure of the site and the regularity of the urban system. The article describes the main features and variations of the courtyard house in the Mediterranean area, as well as the elements of sustainability and resilience of this architectural typology.
Courtyard houses / Dipasquale, L; Mecca, S.; Picone, A.. - STAMPA. - (2014), pp. 150-160.
Courtyard houses
DIPASQUALE, LETIZIA;MECCA, SAVERIO;
2014
Abstract
Since the early civilizations the courtyard house has been the most prevalent architectural typology in the Mediterranean and Middle East regions, all characterized by temperate and hot-dry climates. The spatial organization of these dwellings is defined by a central open-air space on which the living rooms depend and receive light and air. The inner courtyard, the main architectural element, functions as a distribution element: the courtyard is the core of the house and therefore of daily activities, protecting the family’s intimacy. Courtyards have been used in several dwelling types according to each climatic region and to the local culture it belongs; the architecture of the courtyard house varies depending upon geography, religion, or ethnic culture, economic conditions, extension and morphological structure of the site and the regularity of the urban system. The article describes the main features and variations of the courtyard house in the Mediterranean area, as well as the elements of sustainability and resilience of this architectural typology.I documenti in FLORE sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.