High Rise at Malaya. Courtyard and Daylighting Thesis

High Rise at Malaya. Courtyard and Daylighting - Thesis Example The by-product effects of courtyard designs produce the feeling of serenity, calmness and composure upon the surrounding structural forms. Also, significant day lighting is one of the advantages of having courtyard designs in particular structures. The dispersion of natural light from a specific angle from the sun creates the naturalistic feel that is expected from courtyard designs. However in the era of the Modernism Movement in architecture, a new kind of design is inevitably incorporated amongst recent structures. As what the precepts of the movement dictates, modern architects push their designs to the limits while going back to the appearance of the basics – simple but elegant. Courtyard designs are incorporated in such structures as well. In this context, the effectiveness of the courtyard may vary from low rise to high rise structures. The amount of natural light and the feel of serenity can vary in the mentioned cases. Yet, modern architects had already answered this problem through the composition of materials that they had used in their modern structural designs. Hence, the issue of ecological living is a primary concern in modern courtyard designs. As compared to traditional courtyards, surrounding low rise structures provide the aura of naturalism which greatly contributes to the ecological aspect of the entire architectural design. In addition, the idea of replicated ecological feel is an issue attached to modern courtyard designs. The essence of naturalism is reproduced through the advancements of modern architecture. 1.2 Purpose of the Study The purpose of this study is to show that modern courtyard designs and the surrounding structures accompanying the open space do not fully incorporate the concept of ecological living within the whole structural design. This study aims to present a comparative approach between the modern and traditional courtyards. The advantages and the reliability of traditional courtyards will also be explained in this study. 1.3 Expected Outcomes of the Study A significant outcome that this study wishes to arrive at is the comparative conclusion between the advantages of traditional and modern courtyard designs in terms of ecological living. It is expected that a thorough explanation of terms be achieved. Historicizing the important concepts of traditional and modern courtyards is expected from the review of related literature. Architectural theories which accompany the traditional and modern courtyard designs are expected to be well explained. Through the comparison of designs and the effects of such in the naturalistic feel of respective courtyards, it must be clear that at the end of this study, traditional courtyard design best upholds the notion of ecological living. CHAPTER II: RELATED LITERATURE 2.1 Traditional Chinese Courtyard Spatial Value: the Siheyuan One of the most harmonious examples of courtyard structures and design can be seen in the traditional Chinese courtyards or the Si heyuan. The concept of comfort and leisure are fused into the simple and Oriental layout of these courtyards evidenced through the architectural design of the mentioned. The Siheyuan are usually enclosed within four walls. The sizes vary from the minute to the largest layout in any given space. These structures are usually encircled by north and south main rooms and the accompanying wing rooms on respective sides which contain function areas such as the kitchen, the servants’ quarters, personal libraries and others.1 Even up to the present era, the Siheyuan still retain its traditional look in architectural design. This serves both the purposes of cultural and ecological aspects. In terms of culture, the traditional C