Courtyards : Aesthetic, Social, and Thermal Delight

by Reynolds, John S.

• ISBN13: 9780471398844
• ISBN10: 0471398845
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2001-12-03
• Publisher: Wiley

Summary

COURTYARDS Aesthetic, Social, and Thermal Delight Courtyards is an artful, informative exploration of courtyards, from their origins in early civilization to contemporary design concepts. Architects and landscape architects will repeatedly turn to the detailed guidelines for reference, gain a greater sense of balance between building and garden, and cultivate optimal green space by using the practical planting tips. Over one hundred photographs and drawings illustrate the concepts written about by an authority and passionate scholar in his field.

Author Biography

JOHN S. REYNOLDS is a professor of architecture at the University of Oregon. He is actively involved in the American Solar Energy Society and the Society of Building Science Educators. The recipient of numerous fellowships and grants, his research has focused on the relationship between environment, inhabitants, and energy usage.

Table of Contents

Preface	ix
Acknowledgements	x
PART ONE: Courtyard Characteristics	1	(102)
Classifying Courtyards	2	(22)
Entry Sequence	4	(2)
Placement Within Building	6	(3)
Orientation	9	(5)
Formality and Symmetry	14	(2)
Exposure	16	(2)
Plants	18	(3)
Open or Closed Facades	21	(1)
Vertical Circulation	21	(3)
Courtyards and Cosmos	24	(22)
Earth, Water, Air, and Fire	26	(6)
Animal, Vegetable, and Mineral	32	(3)
Below, On, and Above the Ground	35	(5)
Cycles of Life and Death	40	(6)
Social Roles	46	(20)
Community and Privacy	48	(5)
Circulation	53	(1)
Degrees of Formality	53	(4)
Common Activities In and Around Courtyards	57	(2)
Institutional Courtyards	59	(7)
Plants, The Spirit of the Courtyard	66	(10)
Organic vs. Geometric	68	(1)
Sensuality	69	(1)
Ritual/Habitual	70	(1)
Potted Plants	70	(2)
Rooted Shrubs and Vines	72	(3)
Trees	75	(1)
Courtyards, Climate, and Comfort	76	(18)
Degrees of Control	78	(1)
Taming the Climate	79	(1)
Strategies for Winter Warmth	80	(4)
Avoiding Heat Gain	84	(4)
More Strategies for Summer Comfort	88	(1)
Wind	88	(4)
Thermal Mass	92	(1)
Evaporative Cooling	92	(2)
Courtyards and Change	94	(9)
Fill in One or More Arcades	97	(1)
Divide the Courtyard	98	(1)
Encroach on the Courtyard	98	(1)
Add Another Floor	99	(1)
Change the Function	100	(3)
PART TWO: Some Particular Courtyards	103	(64)
Courtyards Observed: Mexico and Andalucia	104	(10)
Daylight	111	(1)
Sun and Shade	111	(1)
Winter Sun	112	(1)
Function	113	(1)
Variations in Proportions	114	(16)
Three Andalusian Courtyards	116	(7)
In Corboda's Winter	123	(2)
Two Colima Courtyards	125	(4)
Colima in Summer	129	(1)
Variations in Shading	130	(12)
Encamacion #12	132	(2)
Osio #4, Front and Rear	134	(4)
Comparing the Three Courtyards	138	(2)
Spaces Around These Courtyards	140	(1)
Winter and Summer Contrasts	141	(1)
Thermal Sailing	142	(12)
Shading	148	(1)
Water	149	(3)
Night Ventilation of Thermal Mass	152	(2)
Changes Over Time	154	(13)
Demolished or Disappeared	156	(1)
Covered	157	(2)
Partially Covered	159	(1)
Open but Stripped	159	(4)
Neglected	163	(1)
Sustained	163	(2)
Improved	165	(2)
PART THREE: Courtyard Design	167	(46)
Planning and Design Guidelines	168	(30)
City and Courtyard	171	(3)
Cars and Courtyards	174	(3)
Courtyards and Neighborhoods	177	(1)
Courtyards and their Buildings	178	(1)
Courtyards, Daylight, and Aspect Ratio	179	(3)
Courtyards and Cooling	182	(6)
Courtyards and Winter Sun	188	(2)
Courtyards and Arcades	190	(8)
Design Examples	198	(15)
Hot and Arid	200	(2)
Hot and Humid	202	(3)
A City Block of Courtyard Row Houses	205	(8)
Appendix A: Evaporation and Transpiration	213	(2)
Appendix B: Rainwater Collection	215	(4)
Appendix C: Some Courtyard Plants	219	(14)
Glossary	233	(1)
References	234	(2)
Credits	236	(1)
Index	237