The Courtyards: Typology In Architecture

The idea of courtyard goes back to Neolithic Times. It was conceived for such needs as providing protection from natural forces : weather, wild life or human invasions. Later on, it was transformed in functional architecture that can be characterized by its design, structure and environment uses. Apart from its climatic functions, the cultural aspect has the same importance.

This essay will discuss Donovan Hill’s Queensland State Library; it’s relationship to their architectural style and its involvement with the community by using diagrams and discussion. Donovan Hill is a Brisbane based firm established in 1992. Their style highlights the value in creating smaller individual experiences throughout the spatial programming whilst also not being governed by climate but using it to their advantage. Donovan Hill is well known for their design of the outdoor room in C-House and this design is precedent for spaces in the Queensland State Library. Donovan Hill follows the International Style and address the three principals outlined by Hitchcock and Johnson in their book The International Style. They find balance

1. | A Classical colonnade around a building or courtyard is called a | | peristyle |

The architecture “norm” for aristocratic homes was in the Shinden-zurkuri style, “which was clearly based on the principle that the individual parts of the building should be merged as much as possible into the garden” (Yoshida, p.12). The main building, named the Shinden, represented the area reserved for the master himself, and always opened up to the south side of the garden. There were corridors, or tai-no-ya, connecting the Shinden to the rest of the buildings in the complex. There corridors created an enclosure which is where a lake would be placed and where the stroll garden was erected.

Upon stepping foot in the garden that surrounds the building, the space that encompases Caroline Wiess Law is open and inviting. The social space makes a central entry point for its visitors. The garden space encompassing the building is large and spacious. A huge, green courtyard surrounds the front. The use of an open garden in close proximity to the entrance attracts individuals to not only observe the stone building, but entices them to stay and take in more observation of the

Designs of many building reflect the climate conditions of the environment. A good example is View of Mulberry House and Street which depicts slave houses with steep roofs. The roof compromises over half the height of the house, allowing warm air to rise in the interiors and trap cooler air beneath it which gives a distinct advantage in the hot and humid climates.

The wonderful blooms of the trees planted firmly, bring out the amazing blue of the sky. The old dock with mysteries that overlooks the cool water create a sense of wonder. The rustic old swing provides anyone who stumble across a feeling of comfort in the secluded forest. The tree with many years will continue to be there for anyone who has the opportunity to come across it. This sacred space gives someone a feeling of belonging as it comforts them and makes it feels safe with the vibrant colors displayed among the beauty. Among all, the components that create the glamorous attraction, make one feel welcome and create a longing to go back once again to savor the calming feelings created

Courtyards at Kirnwood is a retirement community for active, independent seniors. Retirees enjoy a carefree lifestyle with the added benefits of security and comfort. The community is located near Hwy 67 and I-20 with easy access to Southwest Center Mall, Prairie Lake Golf Course, Armstrong Park, Cinemark Movie Theater, AMF Desoto Lanes and a number of dining establishments.

As you move down from landscape, into a spatial view of the school, you can begin to section off locations as contested space hot spots. The hallways for example, are packed in certain areas, yet flow fluidly in others locations. These contested spaces are “fought over” in quite a physical manner. These bottlenecks within the halls cause crowding, and lack of movement. Another example of a space would be the Courtyard located in the center of the school. This is easily the least crowded area within the school walls, and contrary of the hallways, is contested in a much more mental manner. After interviewing multiple seniors who presumably would know most about the conducts of the school, I discovered, most believed it to be off limits to students. These students see the courtyard every day for over three school years, and simply assume it is off limits space because of minimal student traffic through it. Much like the mentality of Jilian from N. Reynolds’ interview: “If everything they need is there in the student neighborhoods, why should (white, middle-class) college students venture into unknown territory?”(N. Reynolds, Maps of the everyday, p. 481) However after speaking to the Vice Principal Ms. Morse this is not the case, she states: ”anyone is allowed passing through the courtyard while the weather is fair, and as long as they travel through in a school hallway

Every village also had a community building, built like a house but much larger, where people could assemble for meetings and ceremonies. Another structure, roofed but with open walls and a platform was also built near the plaza. Here, leaders conducted public ceremonies and guests were received.(2)

The sloping orientation of the landscape maximises public space whilst having a relatively small footprint. Some roofing areas of the building

The assumptions come from the contrast in the design of the palace. In a building/city that is connected by slim corridors and staircases, with generally small enclosed rooms, a large open area stands out in the design and without realizing it we, and the minoan that lived there gave the courtyard power. Its open areas and exposure to light reflects the socialness and fun that takes place in such as space rather than the darker smaller places of the palace where everyday personal lives took place.

In the Wikipedia article called Japanese housing written in March 28, 2018, it states that there was no designated use for a room except for the Genkan (shoe room), toilet, and Ofuro (bath). Any room can easily be transformed into the desired size using fusuma, sliding doors that create rooms when needed. This shows that the Japanese value flexibility because of the many ways you can arrange a Japanese house. In the article Shinden Zukuri Estates of the Heian Period written by Anthony Bryant, it says that the undeveloped space between two rooms or in the main courtyard was often filled with nature. They placed one dominant tree, smaller trees, and an artificial pond in the open space. Women were named after the dominant tree in the area that their pavilion faced. This demonstrates the fact that the Japanese value nature greatly in their homes and even name people after trees on the property. Shinden Zukuri values both nature and flexibility because of ponds and trees that they add to the home for decoration and the fusuma screens that allow for the transfiguration of rooms at

The infamous Siheyuans from China is a very strong example of providing privacy and safety to the users. By surrounding the courtyard with the existing building, it creates an a open and large living room that draws the heaven and earth closer to the Chinese people. Being closed on the outside and open on the inside, the Siheyuan heavily emphasises on privacy and shelter that is required of the Chinese culture.

Andres Le Nôtre, Versailles’ leading landscape architect, believed in the basic conception that landscape should be more impressive than the buildings it comprehends2. With over 800 hectares of gardens, the size of Versailles alone is quite daunting. Using forced perspective, Le Nôtre, further extended the site in the mind’s eye creating a scale incomparable to the surrounding villages3. No doubt those who visited the gardens were filled with awe, perhaps even fear. Versailles provided an almost urban environment, housing France’s aristocracy. Though the nobility was relatively pampered, there was no question that the king was in charge. Elaborate terracing, for example, gave the gardens hierarchical structure symbolizing feudal society, purposefully reinforcing the nobility’s servility by literally