For ages, the ‘Aangan’ courtyard fostered open-air living and connection with nature in Indian homes. As housing grew disconnected from outdoors, this research reinterprets the Aangan’s magic for modern sustainable residences. Historically providing nature integration and communal spaces across cultures, traditional courtyard methods now fall short of environmental standards. There is a need to reimagine and adapt the traditional courtyard design principles to create sustainable and livable housing solutions that cater to contemporary urban living while preserving their inherent advantages. This study analyzes the historical significance, benefits, limitations, and adaptation strategies of courtyard concepts for modern sustainable housing. It examines climatic, environmental, and socio cultural aspects of courtyards, explores design challenges and opportunities, and develops guidelines for different contexts, assessing potential impacts, and identifying best practices. Combining literature reviews and real-world case studies comprehensively explores the potential of sustainable courtyard design. Key findings include natural ventilation, daylighting, green space integration, and reduced energy demands. The courtyard model harmonizes environmental responsibility with livability, balancing sustainability, comfort, and flexibility - reinventing an ancient essence for eco-conscious habitats prioritizing conservation and human well-being.
Ahmad et al. (Sat,) studied this question.