role of courtyard in buildings

7/27/2019 Role of Courtyard in Buildings

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SEMINAR ONROLE OF COURTYARD IN

INSTITUTIONAL BUILDING


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METHODOLOGY:-

Role of courtyard in institutional building

Introduction Case study

What iscourtyard ? Type Dimensional value

Evolution Role

Functional

aspectsClimatica

l aspects

R.V.C.E.Bangalore

School Of

Architecture


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INTRODUCTION

Courtyard can be definepermanently open to sky space within or

adjacent to the building.When we study civilization in India, we observe that from

prehistoric times up to the start of colonial age in India, we had

courtyard as a basic design element in all the residential and other

building units for variety.

Social

Religious

Cultural

FunctionalClimatical

Since the prehistoric times courtyard planning was influencing the

architecture of different ages like Indus valley civilization ,Islamic

architecture ,Buddhist architecture, Hindu architecture.


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Through the age, with development of the lifestyle of the people,

construction techniques and the influence by the invasions of

different tribes and culture; changes and development the

traditional planning principles which in turn changed the use of

courtyard planning.

The hot dry, tropical climate gave rise the courtyard concept .

The typical courtyard was most suitable solution to control very

hot summers .As courtyard also provides light and ventilation inbuilding.

Courtyard generates current of cool air at lower level. Due to this

climatic reasons courtyard becomes the basic design element of

over traditional architecture.


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What is

courtyard?Courtyard is an area wholly or partially surrounded by walls or

buildings; "the buildings are built around an inner court" .

A court or courtyard is an enclosed area, often a space enclosedby a building that is open to the sky.

These areas in inns and public buildings were often the primary

meeting places for some purposes.


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Type Of Courtyard

1. Exterior courtyard:Exterior courtyard is at the periphery of building used as a

meeting and gathering place.

2. Interior courtyard:Interior courtyard is at the center of building. Used as a

light,ventilation and gathering place.


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Courtyard can be differentiated according to its function or

zoning such as private, semi-private or public and forms of

enclosure such as enclosed form two three or four sides.

Private courtyard :-

When the internal courtyard is used of the inhabitants

of the building its private.

Semi-private courtyard:-

When the visitors and inhabitants of the building its

private.

Public courtyard:-

Public courtyard used by the general public.


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Dimensional value of courtyard:-

The shape of courtyard may vary from building to building

according to the light and ventilation and users need .

But strictly speaking the height and width ratio of courtyard must

follow the dimensions of width and height ratio to fulfill and

satisfy the qualities of the courtyards without becoming an open

to sky shaft for the only purpose of light and ventilation.


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Usually a courtyard width is equal to or about half the height of the

building. Courtyards at all level shall have an area not less than

the square of 1/5th of the height of the highest wall abutting to it.


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Courtyard in institutional building

Courtyard planning in architecture being a very broad concept.Regarding my seminar topic Role Of Courtyard In Institutional

Building, I have limited myself within institutional building.

Evolution of courtyard in institution

An example can be seen if we look back in our historicalbackground in our ancient Gurukul system several student lived

with their 'Guru' at his Ashram like the members of one 'family'and learn ancient scriptures no separate academic buildingexisted.

Classes were held in courtyard under the cool shadow of a largetree with Mother Nature all around.


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Role of Courtyard in institutional building

Almost every institute or campus has some kind of central plazaor gathering place.

Courtyard has more traditional plan type as it hold illustrious placein institutional building; it also provides a central space.

Institutional buildings will always have same arrangements ofbuildings with spaces created between them.


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The uses of these spaces for circulation, study, relaxation andaesthetic pleasure deserve far greater attention than they haveyet received.

Open to sky open space our courtyard in institutional buildingbased on two aspects:-

1. Functional aspect

2. Climatic aspect

1. Functional aspect of courtyard in institutional building:

It provides a shaded central space, controlled play area andvariety of adjacent verandas, corridors and rooms.


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This helps in better interaction among them and fulfills the short

coming of covered space.

Irregularly shaped courtyard and contrasting geometry can help todistinguish different areas.

Defined by the building that surround it the courtyard is

characterized by the way it is entered through a formal lobby or


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2. Climatical aspect of courtyard in institutional

building:Climatically it acts like a shaft generating a current of cold air at

lower level.

It keeps the glare and radiation and provides sufficient light and

ventilation to the enclosed spaces surrounding it.

Sometimes, a water body or a well located tree on the garden in

the courtyards is an added relief.Water body in a courtyard also helps in evaporating cooling.


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In traditional planning, courtyard was a passive aid of cooling of

building. It provides micro climate within the macro climate of

building.

In the hot dry tropical climates the use of courtyard by student andfaculty can be in through out the year.

A pool of cool night air can be retained, as it is heavier than the

surrounding warm air, as the courtyard is surrounded by walls

almost equal to the width of courtyards or double in height so

Radiation to

cool surface

Cool airfromcourtyard

courtyard

protectionfrom hotdusty wind

shad

e


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Architectural Interventions

Addition of wallThe divides the areas.

Spaces cannot promote interaction.

Scale and proportionUsers decides the scale of the courtyard.

Interior courtyards are smaller than exterior courtyards.


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Addition of stepsSteps in courtyards creates the spatial differences and two zones

are segregated.Informal sitting area.

Addition of treeCreate its own domain.

Provides shade.

Addition of water bodyHelp in evaporative cooling


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MaterialSpatial difference.

Greenness and cool feeling.

Addition of seatSeats provide comfort level.

Reflects behavior


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architecture with the advancement in science and technology; we

are now better position to design climate responsive architecture.

But the mechanical sophisticated climate control devices are very

expensive both from capital investment and operational point of

view.

There is no denying the fact that courtyard worked well in

our climatic condition. I, therefore, feel it is very much essential

that as an architect, as a responsible professional to be, one mustidentify the elements which are primarily responsible for making

the building comfortable and at the same time encourage and

develop socio-cultural aspect of traditional Indian cities. So, the

Re-examination and critical study of the concept in planningcourtyard in present day's context to be studied and applied with

understanding, in new situation. What has changed and what has

not? What can be learnt from past pattern and adopt it in new

situation, with or without some modification.

role of courtyard in buildings

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