Courtyard

A courtyard is an enclosed or partially enclosed outdoor space surrounded by walls, buildings, or arcades, creating a private open-air room within the footprint of a property. The courtyard is one of the oldest and most universal forms in architectural history, appearing independently across cultures from the atrium houses of ancient Rome to the riads of Morocco to the hutong residences of Beijing. In all these traditions, the courtyard serves as the heart of the home, providing light, ventilation, and a private outdoor sanctuary sheltered from the street, wind, and the gaze of neighbors. In contemporary residential design, courtyards offer an elegant solution for creating private outdoor space, particularly on urban lots, narrow properties, and homes oriented away from favorable views. A courtyard design turns the focus inward, creating a protected microclimate that is often warmer and calmer than exposed outdoor areas. Modern courtyards frequently feature water elements, specimen plantings, sculptural accents, and carefully designed lighting to create intimate outdoor rooms with a sense of enclosure and serenity. The courtyard typology is increasingly popular in sustainable design, as it facilitates natural ventilation, daylighting, and passive cooling through the stack effect.