The role of multiple-courtyards in the promotion of convective cooling

This work is set out to confirm the anecdotal evidence provided by Hassan Fathy that the historic buildings in semi arid climates used multiple-courtyards to promote convective cooling through the transitional spaces. Prior to this study, an empirical and numerical analysis had not been conducted to confirm or refute this phenomenon. Historically, buildings with multiple-courtyards can be found in semi arid regions ranging from the Middle East through Northern Africa and Southern Europe. This work is based on the fieldwork conducted at the Casa de Pilatos in Seville, Spain. The goal of this article is to use results from the field measurements to illustrate and confirm the yard-to-yard airflows, to discuss the drivers of this air movement and the opportunities for contemporary applications. The analysis of field data has shown a significant amount of convective cooling and the potential to mitigate additional heat loads in transitional spaces. Findings from this study have direct application to naturally ventilated buildings in semi arid regions.