This document discusses courtyards in Indian context. It defines courtyards and their roles in buildings. It describes different types of traditional courtyards found in India and their functions. It discusses the importance of courtyards in ancient Indian texts like Vastushastra. It then outlines the history of courtyards dating back to 6500 BC and their use as focal points in early settlements. It also discusses the religious, climatic, social and cultural implications of courtyards. It notes the influence of British architecture and reasons for disappearance of courtyards in modern times. Finally, it concludes that while some new designs attempt to recreate courtyard principles, they often lack the characteristics of traditional courtyards.

1. Courtyard Planning in
Indian Context
Presented by :
- Piyusha Deshpande
- Siddhi Pande
Guided by:
Ar. J. Deshmukh Ar. D. Dabre

2. What is courtyard and it’s role in
building ?

3. Courtyards in India and their
functions
Nattukottai, South India
Haveli,
Rajasthan
Vada,
Maharashtra

4. Importance in Vastushastra
• Sri Chakra is the Yantra of the
Cosmos.
• Courtyard represents the four
corners of the Universe.
• Brahmasthan is the main centre
of any plot.
•Plot should be fixed for open
space.
•Construction in the centre of plot
means blocking the main energy.

5. History of courtyard
• Before courtyards, open fires were kept burning in a central place within a
home, with only a small hole in the ceiling above to allow smoke to escape. Over
time, these small openings were enlarged.
• Traced back to 6500-6000 BC.
incorporating from Mehergarh (Kacchi
Plain of Present Pakistan).
• Acting as the focal point of the settlement.
• The settlement consisted of an irregular
scatter of mud brick houses arranged
around a central open to sky space.

6. Religious Implications
Hindu
Religion
Islamic
Religion

7. Climatic Implications
Phase:1 Phase:2 Phase:3

8. Social and Cultural Implications
• Heart of the house, where different activities could take place
during different parts of the day.
• Used as an extension of the kitchen and dining area during
mornings, an extension of the living room during evenings to
entertain guests and as a sleeping area for the nights.
• More than one courtyard can be observed.
• To separate the public and private spaces within the house.
• The public sphere is mainly for the guests and is largely used by
the male members of the family
• the inner court is more constrained to the family and is usually
an outdoor space enjoyed by the female members of the house.

9. British Influence
British Bungalow

10. Reasons for disappearance of
courtyard
• People prefer their house to express their status and, as a medium of relation
with others.
• the individualization of rooms .
• Construction has moved from horizontal development (plotted neighbourhoods)
to vertical development (high rise apartments) houses.
• New ways of construction and technology ensure safety
• The need for privacy for women and children.
• Climate was moderate and adjustable
• Joint families: Need for a large common space for interaction and family activities
• Nuclear families: Living room/Bedroom become the new space for family
interaction
• Less inclination on religious activities
• Abundant number of parks and play grounds for children in high rises and
neighbourhood homes.

11. Open spaces instead of courtyards

12. Case Study-1
Plan
Section

13. Case Study-2
Plan

14. Conclusion
• Some designs attempt to re-interpret the courtyard
principle in housing using backyards and gardens.
• The exterior space created is pushed to either the corner or
rear of the house plot.
• Moreover, its poor spatial quality and inefficient
relationship to other spaces makes it a deserted and a
useless space for the inhabitants. Hence, it lacks the
courtyard characteristics of the traditional house and is
neither a functional nor a symbolic space.
• Certain contemporary houses offer an extension to the
living or bedroom which is semi covered and landscaped
with trees and water bodies. Here, this space does not have
genuine courtyard characteristics because there is no sense
of enclosure. Its character is that of a modern garden rather
than that of a traditional courtyard.

15. Thank
You