Conception of open spaces- A Case of Delhi Courtyard Houses

Abstract

Concerns for the future of our environment, with regards to climate change, scarcity of resources, population growth, and globalization are growing, we need alternative solutions as to how can we reduce the negative impact of all the above on the planet while catering the needs of the mass. Only recently has there been debates if or not vernacular and traditional aspects of architecture can be the key to the required change. Courtyards and open spaces are one of the attributes of vernacular architecture that needs to be discussed in the above context. The importance of these spaces had already been proven for different climatic conditions. However, there is a need to justify this kind of open space typology in the lights of contemporary architecture of a metropolitan city like Delhi which is having a diverse urban fabric, a high rate of influx, and also cultural diversification. Given that the most common and relatable architectural typology is the dwelling, and it is subjected to a rapid transformation concerning its built as well as use. The following case takes into consideration the residential open spaces of Delhi through a comparative study of residential courtyard spaces of Delhi hence, the paper tries to form a conception of open spaces in the residential typology of Delhi post-independence and hence, tries to study the dwellings of the same time dating from the 1950s till date it also provides the reader an insight to the reasoning of flattening of built forms that have emerged in today’s era, despite the heterogeneity of people and what are the possible solutions to this through the understanding of courtyard spaces and use its functional benefits like comfort and a sense of belongingness.