Apoorva Paliwal. Guide: Ar. Seemantini Nakil.
Dr. D.Y. Patil School of Architecture, Ambi, Pune, 4th Year B.Arch.
Email: apoorvasanjay1601@gmail.com

Abstract : Factors like global warming, pollution and
consumption of fossil energy have encouraged the need
of sustainable development. Increasing rate of global
warming, led to the increase in demand for passive
cooling techniques. Courtyard is the one of the most
significant feature used in buildings for passive cooling.
Courtyard being originated from hot and dry region plays
a very important role in maintaining the thermal comfort
and microclimate of the building. It is an open space
surrounded by cluster of rooms. This paper attempts to
explain literature study of the role of courtyard in
maintaining the micro climate of a structure in hot and
dry region. The main objective of the research is to
understand the effects of courtyard geometry on the
changing nature of the micro climate of a building in hot
and dry region. Further can also be established
guidelines for efficient courtyard design in different types
of buildings.
Keywords:Courtyard, micro climate, orientation,
geometry, passive cooling technique, thermal comfort,
hot and dry region.

1. INTRODUCTION
Due to the increase in debates on climate change and
sustainability in different regions, sustainable and green
building constructions have been on the rise. Building
design forms must not ignore atmosphere contemplations.
An elective way to deal with the manner in which the
buildings are designed is expected to enhance the
environmental performance of buildings and limit their
expense of running it, which could incorporate power and
water utilization.
Courtyard is a universal design element which has been
tried for several times of years all around the world.The
use of courtyard as an integrated means of architecture in
different building around the world has been dated back to
centuries ago.Courtyardis a building element that is
originated from the hot and dry region. It is basically anenclosed area surrounded by a building or walls and opens
to the sky [fig.01].
Figure 01: Basic courtyard sketch
Courtyards are common architectural patterns throughout
many periods of history and in many regions. They are
referred as a micro climate modifier, which may improve
thermal comfort conditions in the enclosed as well as the
attached built volume. It is an architectural design element
commonly applied in tropical buildings for its social,
environmental and therapeutic potentials.It is influenced
by social, economic, cultural and environmental
conditions.Most households have employed the courtyard
for different purposes and activities. The courtyard serves
as a means to provide natural light, cool air, privacy as
well as security to the surrounding spaces within the
building.The courtyard system comes in different shapes
and sizes depend on the size of the building and the region.
It could be square shape, I-shape, rectangular shape,
circular shape or amorphous etc. Courtyards as the open
spaces of houses play the most critical and effective role in
absorbing solar energy, so controlling sunshade -due to
thermal comfort necessity- is really important in
architectural system of buildings.Proportions, placement
directions, materials and courtyard form play the major
role indetermining the solar energy amount on various
surfaces of courtyard and providing visual and thermal
comfort for residents.The courtyard building has been
recognized as the representative building of the hot dry
regions and a valuable answer to harsh climate. Solar
radiation, as one of the most influential parameters of the
hot and dry climate, can have an influence on the design1.1 HOT AND DRY CLIMATE
Hot and dry climates are typically found between 15° and
35° north and south of the equator. In these locations,
stable descending air and high pressure aloft create hot,
arid, conditions with intense sunshine. Hot and dry
climates are generally hot, sunny and dry year-round.
Maximum daytime summer temperature goes as high as 45
degree centigrade and relative humidity as low up to 20
%.In this region, the wind is usually local. Whirlwinds,
especially in the afternoons are associated with sand and
dust. Sand and dust is another reason for employing
courtyard building form in such areas; because it protects
the courtyard building from whirlwinds.

2. METHODOLOGY
The conduct of the research paper is employed on the basis
of two methodologies:
1) Unobtrusive: It includes library study on the concept of
sustainable architecture, hot and dry climate and
courtyards as passive cooling techniques, type of
courtyard.
2) Literature case study: Three different buildings of hot
and dry climate zones of world are selected for the case
study. This study is carried out to identify the effects of
orientation, proportion and geometry in each case.
Selection process of cases was based on the following
criteria:
a) Climate selection: The study was carried out for hot and
dry climate zoneswhere there is largely unbroken sunshine
for the whole year due to the stable descending air and
high pressure aloft.
b) City selection: Two cities namely Rajasthan (India) and
Negev (Israel) are selected from the hot desert climate
regions. These regions witnesses strong whirlwinds with
sand and dust.

3. LITERATURE REVIEW

The literature study reviews the basic functions of
courtyard and the sources of heat gain into the building.
3.1 SOURCES OF HEAT GAIN
Major heat input is subjected to the occupant‟s metabolic
activity and from the use of artificial lighting and other
appliances resulting in internal heat gain. The heat gain is
also depends on building type. Solar radiation is another
major source of heat gain. The incidence of solar radiation
[fig.03] on external surface varies with time, location and
site condition; however, its effect indoors strongly depends
on the building design, orientation and the way spaces are
used in the building. The courtyard geometry is related to
the solar path and since the sun is the main source of heat
and the solar radiation, being dependent on the altitude and
latitude it is important to study. The basis of climate
responsive design is to make use of such energies to
maintain the thermal comfort inside the building, when the
outdoor temperature is out of comfort level. 3.2 COURTYARD FUNCTIONS
Courtyard is the traditional pattern in hot and dry zones,
where most of the openings face a well dimensioned
interior open courtyard. This type not only allows
protection against the sun but also privacy and protection
against dusty winds and sandstorms.Literature study on
courtyard in hot and dry climate suggests the various types
of evaluation which proves that the orientation [fig.02] and
the proportion are the two important factors for the change
in the micro climate, as the orientation and proportion are
directly or indirectly related to the heat gain and solar
radiation of the building.A courtyard does not have a fixed
plan. Usually they are rectangular or square, it can also be
circular or curvilinear. In addition, the design form of
courtyard can be fully enclosed (four sided), semienclosed
(three sided) or in some cases even two sided.The design
form of the courtyard plays a vital role as microclimate
modifier to the environment.