20/11/2014The Courtyard Houses of Syria | Muslim Heritage Discover the golden age of Muslim civilisation Home Science Architecture Environment Arts Lifestyle Culture Literature People Music News Books Multimedia About Us Sports The Courtyard Houses of Syria Tweet 0 0 Like 2 Short link by: Mahmoud Zein Alabidin (/authors/mahmoud-zein-alabidin) The courtyard house is one of the most enduring architectural forms, transcending regional, historical and cultural boundaries. Its balance of simple appropriate construction, environmental control and social and familial structures continues to engage architects and architectural historians. The emphasis on courtyard in Islamic architecture gave it the name of the "architecture of the veil", because it focuses on the inner spaces (courtyards and rooms) which are not visible from the outside. Courtyard housing is an architectural device with a long history first appearing in the buildings of Syria and Iraq three millennia ago. Arab nomads first made use of the concept of a courtyard during their travels and stay in the desert. They set up their tents around a central space, which provided shelter and security to their cattle. With the development of Arab-Islamic architecture, the courtyard became an essential typological element. It is likely that the previous nomadic desert lifestyle of Arabs had a strong influence on their permanent houses. The courtyard therefore fulfils a deep-rooted need for an open living area. This article describes the typology of the Syrian courtyard house, and presents a number of examples of courtyard houses in Aleppo. - Click to close by Mahmoud Zein Alabidin* Table of contents 1. Introduction 2. The Architectural Elements 3. Courtyard Organization and Climatic Factors 4. Various Other Factors 5. Conclusion 6. Further Resources *** 1. Introduction (http://muslimheritage.com/topics/default.cfm?ArticleID=1197) Courtyard housing dates back to the beginning of the third millennium before common era when it appeared in the buildings of Bilad al-Sham and those of the region between the two rivers Tigris and Euphrates. Arab nomads made use of the concept of a courtyard during their travels and stay in the desert. They set up their tents around a central space, which provided shelter and security to their cattle. With the development of Arab-Islamic architecture, the courtyard became an essential typological element. It is likely that the previous nomadic desert lifestyle of Arabs had a strong influence on their permanent houses. The courtyard therefore fulfils a deep-rooted need for an open living area. The following article describes the typology of the Syrian courtyard house, and presents a number of examples of courtyard houses in Aleppo. The traditional courtyard house in Syria is composed of three parts: (http://www.muslimheritage.com/uploads/Courtyard/Fig11.jpg) A basement floor; A ground floor comprising the main living areas called Al Salamlek; A first floor comprising the private areas called Al Haramlek. Figure 1: The Al-Azem Palace in Hama. Photo taken by the author. http://www.muslimheritage.com/article/courtyard-houses-syria 1/8 jpg) Figure 4: The furniture in main room of Al-Azem Palace in Hama. which was frequently the case as the old city neighborhoods used to enjoy a high level of security. The entrance door usually leads to a narrow passageway at the end of which another door or curtain filters the entrance to the courtyard.com/uploads/Courtyard/Fig12.jpg) Figure 2: The Courtyard of Al-Azem Palace in Hama. a city that endured many wars. even if the entrance door is left open. Photo taken by the author.jpg) Figure 3: The furniture in main room of Al-Azem Palace in Hama.com/article/courtyard-houses-syria 2/8 . reinforced with lead plates fixed with steel nails. therefore.muslimheritage. to judge the level of wealth or poverty of the houses from their external appearance. The entrance door consists of one or two wooden door-leaves.muslimheritage. allowing this latter to be totally private and visually inaccessible from the outside. which is also demonstrated in the lack of decorations of the external windows. The basement floor enjoys an even temperature throughout the year.com/uploads/Courtyard/Fig13.muslimheritage.muslimheritage. Photo taken by the author.com/uploads/Courtyard/Fig14. (http://www. The basement acts as a thermal moderator during the hot dry season. It is therefore an attractive living space in periods of extreme winter or summer temperatures. http://www. It is very difficult. Photo taken by the author. The small size of the external doors represents modesty. (http://www. It is also used for the storage of annual food supplies as is the case in many courtyard houses of Aleppo. as it allows the hot air collected by the wind-catchers to be cooled and humidified before it is released to the courtyard space.20/11/2014 The Courtyard Houses of Syria | Muslim Heritage (http://www. The houses are usually accessed through a modest space leading into a spacious and beautifully landscaped courtyard. The architectural elements of the Syrian courtyard house (http://muslimheritage.jpg) Figure 6: The fountain in Al-Azem Palace in Damascus. The iwan is usually located on the north façade of the courtyard to catch the cool breeze during the summer. which add color and scent to the courtyard atmosphere. Small apartments can sometimes be found on the first floor. the ground floor also contains the kitchen and toilets.com/topics/default. It consists of two main categories: decorative planting such as climbing jasmine and rose bushes. which are anchored in the external wall. used as a pleasant and comfortable open air reception and seating area and a venue for evening events such as the playing of traditional music. The iwan comprises two symmetrical rooms facing each other and has an ornamental front stone arch facing the courtyard. These provide useful open spaces for sleeping or sitting during the evenings of the hot seasons. and citrus trees such as orange and lemon. The transition from the courtyard to the iwan space is marked by a multicolored marble patterned floor. It provides a cool screened space for women. It is usually supported by two cantilevered wooden beams. 2.used for special ceremonies and festivities such as Eid. This hall is the most decorated space in the house and contains the best items of furniture. Because the house is inward looking. from a modest and sometimes austere entrance to a highly decorated internal open courtyard with a central fountain (and sometimes a well) and beautiful facades. plain and located from the first floor onwards in order to avoid being overlooked by pedestrians in the narrow public streets. The first floor can also contain some terraces. (http://www. In some houses. Facing the iwan is the main guest reception hall .muslimheritage. The facades of the internal courtyard are highly decorated with intricately woven geometric patterns and shapes. Landscaping also plays an important role in the courtyard of the traditional Syrian house. the main guest hall is covered by a dome. the external façade windows are small.com/article/courtyard-houses-syria 3/8 . Photo taken by the author. (http://www. http://www.muslimheritage. The iwan is an important covered open apace from which the aesthetic qualities of the courtyard can be enjoyed. This is a word of Turkish origin meaning a women's section in the house. It provides a raised platform (by one or two steps). The windows are divided into two types: those located on the external façade of the house and those located on the courtyard facades. In addition to the iwan and the reception areas. allowing them to view public spaces without being seen.jpg) Figure 5:The fountain in Achik Bash House in Aleppo. The first floor is called the Haramlek. allowing the sun's rays to penetrate the courtyard. which resembles an oriental carpet. The roof spaces are usually well protected by high parapet walls. Photo taken by the author. such as the Wakil. The living and sleeping areas are totally segregated. particularly in the case of extended families. The access from the ground floor to the first floor is through a staircase located in the courtyard. providing adequate privacy.cfm?ArticleID=1197) The Mushrabiya is a wooden balcony located on the outer façade of the house.muslimheritage.com/uploads/Courtyard/Fig04.com/uploads/Courtyard/Fig07. Basil and Ghazali houses in Aleppo.20/11/2014 The Courtyard Houses of Syria | Muslim Heritage The transition from the outside to the inside is marked by a contrast in spatial experience. The walls around the cabinets are sometimes covered with wooden panels with calligraphic carvings matching the cabinet design. The construction technique. Photo taken by the author. This is particularly the case in the main reception hall.com/article/courtyard-houses-syria 4/8 .cfm?ArticleID=1197) The courtyard organization is appropriate to hot dry climates because it maximizes shading and allows for the creation of a pleasant microclimate.muslimheritage. wall cabinets built-into the thickness of the walls are used to display ornaments such as intricate wooden ornamental carving. The ground floor window located inside the thickness of the wall and a wooden shutter is positioned to the outside of the wall thickness.com/uploads/Courtyard/Fig03. which is based on thick load-bearing stone masonry. Symmetry plays an important role in the composition of the ceiling decorations.jpg) Figure 7: Basil House in Aleppo. relatively undecorated. The doors of the ground floor rooms are two-leaf wooden doors with a minimum of ornamental carvings.com/topics/default.muslimheritage. however.20/11/2014 The Courtyard Houses of Syria | Muslim Heritage The courtyard windows are much larger and are more decorated. 3. The existence of cooling towers allows for good summer ventilation as hot air is http://www. (http://www. The availability of plants and a water feature within the courtyard helps in cooling and humidifying the internal atmosphere. The geometric patterns are formed by multicolored stone inlays and intersecting timber slats and from floor and ceiling decorations. The internal decorations are based on the following four types of patterns: Calligraphy based on verses of the holy Qur'an or verses of poetry. (http://www. They are most evident in the floors of the main reception hall. Patterns derived from animal forms such as birds. Floral patterns derived from stems and leaves of various plants. the first floor doors are. Photo taken by the author. providing light and ventilation to the rooms. In the main reception hall. They are small and arched with no decorations and provide light and ventilation to the basement floor. provides adequate thermal mass. rectangles and triangles. the iwan and the courtyard area in front of the iwan. The ceilings are also highly decorated.jpg) Figure 8: Basil House in Old Aleppo. Geometric patterns derived from the combination of circles. Courtyard organization and climatic factors (http://muslimheritage. squares. Other types of windows can be found at the base of the courtyard.muslimheritage.com/uploads/Courtyard/Fig05. with wooden panels displaying intricately linked ornamental geometrical shapes. where the ceiling is the highest in the house and consists of intersecting wooden panels with rich carving and gold-plated designs. where it is cooled and let out into the courtyard space. Photo taken by the author. http://www. Furthermore.muslimheritage. Walls are frequently formed by layers of white and black stones called Al-Ablaq which forms a distinctive characteristic of the courtyard houses of Syria. their size and level of internal decoration depends on the wealth of the occupying families.com/article/courtyard-houses-syria 5/8 . 4. Various other factors (http://muslimheritage. The abundance of stone in the area made it the main building material in the construction of the courtyard houses of Aleppo. Three categories can be identified: large courtyard houses of rich families.com/uploads/Courtyard/Fig10.jpg) Figure 9: Achik Bash House in Aleppo.cfm? ArticleID=1197) 4.3. cultural and religious factors have played an important role in the shaping of the courtyard house in Syria. (http://www. 4. Photo taken by the author.com/uploads/Courtyard/Fig09. Social factors Social.2.com/topics/default.com/uploads/Courtyard/Fig08. the extended family structure has meant that the Syrian courtyard house was organized with the possibility of semiindependent subunits functioning independently but still maintaining strong family ties.jpg) Figure 11: The Maktab Anbar in Damascus. medium-sized houses of traders and craftsmen and small and humble houses of the workers.jpg) Figure 10: The iwan of Al-Azem Palace in Damascus. Economic factors As previously discussed.muslimheritage. all Syrian courtyard houses share a humble external appearance.20/11/2014 The Courtyard Houses of Syria | Muslim Heritage funneled down into the basement. The narrowness of the external streets and passageways leading to the houses also helps in creating a cool and shaded outdoor environment. (http://www.1. (http://www. Photo taken by the author. the external windows and the separation between family and guest areas within the house. Building material and construction techniques The building materials locally available have greatly influenced the construction and shape of the Syrian courtyard house.muslimheritage. 4.muslimheritage. However. The need for privacy has had a paramount influence on the internal organization of spaces and the treatment of the entrance. cfm?ArticleID=1197) Amini.muslimheritage. Paris 1980. Furthermore. Photo taken by the author. 1993.muslimheritage. 6. 1960.ma/english/publications/Islamtoday/25/p10. Guests were invited for dinner and were entertained in the courtyard with folk music bands. most families rely on multi-storey apartments as an affordable housing solution and cannot afford large courtyard houses. 1429 H/2008. Residential Architecture in Islamic Civilization (http://www. 37. N° 25. So how are we to live in a rapidlychanging world where all meanings of family tradition and culture have changed dramatically? Is there a scope for a new affordable housing typology based on maximizing the benefits of a courtyard organization and responding to the needs of small contemporary nuclear households? (http://www.com/uploads/Courtyard/Fig02. The Arabic house with its internal courtyard has become rare and has almost completely disappeared in contemporary architecture. pp. The change from the extended family structure to the nuclear household type. Daniel. 663-66. Journal Islam Today. 266-79. "The Courtyard as an Essential Component in Arab Cities".com/uploads/Courtyard/Fig06. in The Islamic City. Ali." The New Scientist. Female parties were also very common and took place on a weekly basis..com/topics/default.org. Thursday weekly courtyard parties were very common. Having considered the traditional Syrian courtyard house and its characteristics. A. September 8. Islamic Quarterly. vol. (http://www. These are: The decrease in family size. two major changes have occurred in the social structure of Syria. pp. Bahnassi.jpg) Figure 12: The iwan of Achik Bash House in Aleppo. 5. B.cfm? ArticleID=1197) (http://www. Riyadh).20/11/2014 The Courtyard Houses of Syria | Muslim Heritage Entertaining guests and relatives was and is still important in the lives of Syrian families. 1981. 4. Photo taken by the author.com/topics/default. edited by R. Azab. "Islamic and Japanese Traditional Houses and Their Social Meaning: A Comparative Interpretation". Khaled. Further resources (http://muslimheritage. However. 87 Dunham.muslimheritage.isesco.php). Serjeant. 'Aleppo'. "The Courtyard House as a Temperature Regulator. p. Bassiouni. Arab City Magazine (Arab Institute for City Development. Mousallam Sakka. Photo taken by the author.com/uploads/Courtyard/Fig01.jpg) Figure 13: The Courtyard of Al-Wakil House in Aleppo. Conclusion (http://muslimheritage. with more women working outside the home. http://www.jpg) Figure 14: The fountain of Courtyard of Al-Wakil House in Aleppo. strengthening both family and neighborly ties. it is evident that the form of the courtyard house presents a number of qualities that are still relevant to contemporary domestic life in Syria. which affected to some extent the viability of the traditional courtyard house for contemporary family living.muslimheritage.com/article/courtyard-houses-syria 6/8 . 3 (1987): pp. "The Windcatchers of the Middle East." Journal of the American Oriental Society." in Islamic Architecture and Urbanism.com/article/courtyard-houses-syria 7/8 . Abdelbaki Mohamed. and Mandour. M. M.. J. 1983.20/11/2014 The Courtyard Houses of Syria | Muslim Heritage Ferwati. pp. vol. and Ecochard. 97-133. Yasser. 1988. Holod. Maury. 257-68. 82-91. Susan Roaf. Scudo. "Courtyard Houses". New York: Aperture. Alaa. 2. Paris: CNRS. II: Epoque ottoman (XVIe-XVIIIe siècles). vol. pp. Dammam. ~ End ~ * Mr. The Courtyard House: From Cultural Reference to Universal Relevance. in Architecture and Community.muslimheritage.Chairman of Shadirwan Center for Architecural Heritage in Syria. 7.." Journal of Garden History. Architect .. 1983. Tabbaa. pp. Keywords: (/places) Culture (/culture) Architecture (/architecture) Islamic architecture (/keywords/islamic-architecture) House (/keywords/house) (/keywords/aleppo) environment (/keywords/environment) Mahmoud Zein Alabidin (/keywords/mahmoud-zein-alabidin) courtyard (/keywords/courtyard) Syria (/keywords/syria) Places Aleppo Rate this article: Average: 4 (15 votes) See full gallery (/article/courtyard-houses-syria/gallery/645) ABOUT US TOPICS SOCIAL About Us Contact Masdar Search Terms and conditions Site Map Science Environment Culture News People Books Blogspot Tumblr Twitter Youtube Facebook http://www. Ashgate. in Alam al-Bina (Cairo: Center for Planning and Architectural Studies). Salim. "Proportions and Human Scale in Damascene Courtyard Houses. "Architecture and Astronomy: The Ventilators of Medieval Cairo and their Secrets. Les Monuments Ayyubides de Damas." in ArchNet-IJAR: International Journal of Architectural Research. David A. Jacques Revault and Mona Zakariya. 1998. Mahmoud Zein Al Abidin. "Climatic Design in the Arab Courtyard House". Gianni. edited by Aydin Germen. Nassar. Ibrahim. Rabbat. vol. Palais et maisons du Caire. Damascus 1938-50. M. Sauvaget. 1-2. 1984. André Raymond. King. issue 1 (2008). vol. Bernard. edited by Renata Holod and Darl Rastorfer. in association with the Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture (forthcoming in August 2010). Saudi Arabia. in Environmental Design: Journal of the Islamic Environmental Design Research Centre vol. "Historical Evolution of the Courtyard in Architecture". 1980.104. 197-220. 10-13/204. Renata and Darl Rastorfer. 1. "Towards an Interpretation of the Use of Water in Islamic Courtyards and courtyard Gardens. muslimheritage.20/11/2014 The Courtyard Houses of Syria | Muslim Heritage http://www.com/article/courtyard-houses-syria 8/8 .
Report "MuslimHeritage-The Courtyard Houses of Syria"