Mapin Publishing. an introduction to courtyards

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2 an introduction to courtyards

3 SOMA SOSHA -JAYA MARUT NAGA BHALL ATA MUKHYA GANDH ARVA MRIGA ADITI UDITA ISA PARJANYA ANTA- RIKSHA MAHE- NDRA VITATMA PUSHAN AGNI PUSHTA- PUSHPA- DAUV- ARIKA BHRINGA- GRIHAK- SHATA Central Space as the Court The concept of central space is distinct and clear in the manifestations of Indian built form as the conceptual, ideational and manifested centre but not always necessarily as the geometric or physical centre of the entity. According to Indian building scriptures, namely the Vastu Shastra, the central space of the entire built form is assigned to Brahman, and from this concept is born the term Brahmasthana, the central courtyard, as per Kamikagama (a religious text from south India). This central courtyard is also referred to as Angana. PUSHPA- SOSRA DAUVARIKA MARUT NAGA MUKHYA -JAYA BHRINGA - BHALLATA GANDHARVA The centre is still defined as Brahma s entity, even with the change in the form. MRIGA GRIHAKSHATA ADITI VITATHA PUSHAN UDITA Square, the primal and fundamental form MARUT NAGA MUKHYA MARUT BHALLATA SOMA MRIGA ADITI ISA ISA AGNI PARIANYA ANTA-RIKSHA MAHENDRA The basic concept is that the centre or the assigned central space of any entity, natural or created, absorbs and disperses all contradictory energies and therefore it determines the generic core of that entity. Court is defined as an unbuilt space, an uncovered area wholly or partly surrounded by buildings or walls. Etymologically, chowk, the Hindi term for courtyard, means a central space of gathering that has four corners. The word bara, which is used to denote the rural courtyard, means an enclosed opening. In an agrarian dwelling, chowk originated to demarcate the territory. SOSHA BHRNGA- DAUVARIKA -JAYA GANDHA RYA GRIHAK SHATA VITATHA APAVATSYA PUSHAN PARJANYA MAHENDRA ANTARIK SHA AGNI Nine parts of the built form The concept of central space manifested in built form Incidentally, it coincides with the Arabic term which also means open space. However, in the Indian milieu, courtyards act as the soul of the built forms/dwellings. Being the central space of the built form, they are the assigned spaces for diverse and varied environmental, sociocultural and spiritual activities related to human life. Therefore, courtyards have been attached with great importance in the traditional architecture of India, practised for more than four millennia, and the geometry and proportion of the court usually determines the planning of interior spaces in the dwelling. 20 An Introduction to Courtyards Mythology and Cosmic References 21

4 The breeze is induced further by the court aperture as the wind blowing over the built form creates suction and lifts the air mass in the court towards it dragging in, in the process, the cool air from the inlet. This results in the air current, and cycle of cool air through the inlet and escape of hot air through the outlet of the court aperture. Grill opening for the inlet and outlet of air Conversely, courtyards can be designed through their cross section and proportion. They act as a baffle mass in the prevailing breeze direction, as wind scoops, where breeze flowing over the built mass is deflected within through the court aperture and the induced high pressure wind is allowed to escape through doors and windows. In such a schema, the court works as an inlet while fenestrations function as outlets. The schema works if the induced pressure is much higher and the court proportions are wider. This also works at the right time when atmospheric temperatures are cooler than the street temperature. Jaalis Wind/ breeze blowing above the dwelling creates suction for hot air 56 An Introduction to Courtyards Environmental Management through Courtyards 57

5 Socio-Cultural Responses of The Courtyard Daily Routines As the soul of the dwelling type, the courtyard is a hub of diverse activities right from the early morning to late evening. The day break sees puja at the temple space carved out of the courtyard. This is followed by cooking rituals including those involving preparation such as cleaning vegetables, food drying, milling, grinding, cutting, etc. The court along with its adjoining semi-covered space doubles up as the dining area, traditionally in a floor seating format. In the afternoon, it offers a relaxing space for a quick nap or a meeting place for interaction with neighbours as well as socializing with members of the family. The sunset once again sees the chain of activities of a similar order with puja and lighting of the lamp, preparation of dinner, eating and sometimes even sleeping in the court. With puja, storage, water place and stairs being constituent elements of the space throughout the day, the courtyard gets frequented by the inhabitants and used continuously. Court as a living space Elements such as swing become a part of the daily activities around the court Court becomes the domestic node for female interaction. Courtyard as a hub of activities throughout the day Morning activity essentially marked by auspicious rituals and daily chores Afternoon activity revolves around interaction and socializing Evening activities involve eating and sleeping 58 An Introduction to Courtyards Socio-Cultural Responses of the Courtyard 59