Effects of traditional courtyards in buildings: an approach towards more energy efficient building

Courtyards are the most basic elements of the traditional buildings. They seem to be just an
enclosed space or a green interacting space to people but they are far more than that. In earlier
times there was no modern technology so people designed buildings according to environment and
therefore they planned strategically which can provide them with indoor comfort.  Courtyard is a
passive design strategy for cooling in buildings, it provides proper natural ventilation to the building,
provide natural daylighting and is also a green interacting space. Also, that the courtyard is very suitable
in almost all building typologies in all the climatic zones due to its passive tendencies for cooling. The
courtyard has social, cultural, religious, and environmental benefits. Despite its abundant advantages,
they are not so important in most of the people’s view. Today many passive strategies are evolved from
the traditional architecture and courtyard offers atmost advantages for an energy efficient building.

 the main objective of this study is to investigate the effects of courtyard as a passive cooling strategy for
improving indoor thermal comfort, as a natural daylighting medium, a natural ventilation strategy and an
approach towards more energy efficient building. I will be throwing light on their history, their use in
ancient times, their orientation for max benefit and how are they still effective in modern times. This is
one of the traditional elements of the building which should be continued to be used also in modern
buildings and in upcoming buildings as It can save lighting costs, can provide natural cooling, can increase
indoor comfort and increases the thermal efficiency of building.

Traditional natural ventilation techniques and their use in modern architecture

Artificial conditioning came back in early 20th century but what was used before the advent of artificial air
conditioning ? people still lived in comfort without these due to the different natural methods which
were adapted to ventilate and cool their houses. The houses were designed in respect of their
surrounding environment without exploiting natural resources. So why cant it be continued in todays era
if it is providing energy efficiency?

Modern architecture is evolved from the traditional architecture and somehow is still rooted to its
traditions. Many buildings still uses those natural ventilation methods to provide energy efficiency and to
avoid use of artificial conditioning. In ancient times people had no technology, they relied heavily on the
way of houses were built in accordance with local climate to maximise heat dissipation and thermal
insulation. Many buildings constructed today completely disregarded this as it is easy to build a box and
then use artificial conditioning.

Through this research I want to investigate the traditional strategies and how they can be incorporated in
modern buildings to provide energy efficient building. In this way the traditional methods will not be lost
and will continue to be used in modern buildings to save electricity bills and increasing building efficiency.

Use of these methods can save natural resources for future generations, so it is important to continue
these methods in order to not exploit resources and built climate responsive building.

Public realm importance: scenario before and after global pandemic

Public realm are places in towns that we linger day in and out, where we work live and play They are the
urban public open spaces accessible to public, they are publically owned pathways, parks, streets and
plazas etc. This is very imp. Aspect of urbanism, it plays an imp. Role in community interaction. public
space is integral to the concept of live ability, and the social, economic , psychological and environmental
viability of communities.
Through this research I would like to throw light upon the importance of public spaces and what are the
challenges after such a global pandemic, where social distancing is to be kept in mind, and what can be
the possible strategies to design such a place as an architect where psychological, social as well as health
is not compromised and community interaction can be possible. In this research roads, streets and plazas
would be majorly covered.