Courtyard houses

In the Mediterranean area, since the early civilizations, the courtyard house was the most prevalent architectural typology. Also known as patio houses, spatial organization in these dwellings is defined by a central open-air space from which the living rooms are generated. The house has an introverted layout; the rooms are disposed surrounding an internal courtyard, the overriding architectural feature. The courtyard is the generator space of all the residential cells, opened toward it, and represents the central core of the house, its principal unit. Still the courtyard allows the natural ventilation and enlightenment of the house's internal space. Courtyards have been used in several dwelling types according to each climatic region and to the local culture it belongs; the architecture of the courtyard house varies depending upon geography, religion, or ethnic culture, economic conditions, the extension and morphological structure of the site and the regularity of the urban system. Its widespread acceptance is due to its capacity of response to various environmental, social and cultural requirements. The architectural layout of the courtyard house provides the dwelling with an inner open space that functions as a distribution element, as well as a cloister opened to the sky while protecting it from environmental threats. The essay provides a recognition of the typologies usage from the origin to the roman Domus, to the islamic courtyard house, to the main variants of the courtyard house in the Mediterranean Region, till the courtyard house as a model for future resilient housing.