Courtyards: Aesthetic, Social, and Thermal Delight [Hardcover]

John S. Reynolds (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0471398845 | ISBN-13: 978-0471398844 | Publication Date: November 15, 2001 | Edition: 1

COURTYARDS
Aesthetic, Social, and Thermal Delight
Courtyards is an artful, informative exploration of courtyards, from their origins in early civilization to contemporary design concepts. Architects and landscape architects will repeatedly turn to the detailed guidelines for reference, gain a greater sense of balance between building and garden, and cultivate optimal green space by using the practical planting tips. Over one hundred photographs and drawings illustrate the concepts written about by an authority and passionate scholar in his field.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Not only does this book provide a wealth of information about this building type, but it provides a visual feast." (TDSR, June 2002)

"Reynold's book is a vital reference for any architect..." (Journal of Architectural Education, May 2003)

From the Inside Flap

Courtyards are special areas that allow the inside and outside to mingle; where rain, wind, daylight, night darkness, and sound can be showcased; and, simply, they are niches of beauty and solace. Since at least 3000 b.c., courtyards have been incorporated into the architecture of the day as a significant part of the physical and cultural landscape. Today, the courtyard continues to be an evolving and popular aspect of design through which landscapers and designers can create privacy amidst increased property development.

Courtyards presents a survey of courtyards, contemporary design guidelines, and a diverse selection of examples. Readers will acquire a basic understanding of the balance that must exist between garden and building, including practical advice for planting.

First, a brief history of courtyards is presented, including itemized accounts of topics such as placement within a building, orientation, exposure, common activities in and around courtyards, and the promotion of temperate conditions within the courtyard. Next, an ample section of examples follows, generously supplemented with over fifty full-color photographs from Spain and Latin America. These exquisite images are accompanied by temperature charts, solar diagrams, and other key technical information about courtyards. Finally, an extensive section of planning and design guidelines highlights factors for consideration, such as daytime/ nighttime temperature ranges, zoning regulations, proportions, and innovative proposals incorporating driveways and uses of rainwater.

Architects, landscape architects, and urban designers and planners will find this an ideal starting point for creating or renovating any courtyard. Students of all these disciplines can use Courtyards as an inclusive, easy-to-use reference.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (November 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471398845
• ISBN-13: 978-0471398844
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 8.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,201,353 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #98 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > How-to & Home Improvements > Home Design > Energy Efficient Design

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE Book on Courtyards., May 8, 2002

By 

Thomas L. Ogren (San Luis Obispo, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Courtyards: Aesthetic, Social, and Thermal Delight (Hardcover)

Courtyards is a terrific book, the result of 20+ years of loving research. Oregon Professor John Reynolds is crazy for courtyards and it certainly shows.
A courtyard is a space surrounded by a building, often surrounded by a house. There are all manner of courtyards, large, small, huge, quiet, loud. Some are open and others are terribly private. But all good courtyards have things in common. In the landscapes most of us in the US are used to, we have a house and the gardens are on the outside and we see them before we see the house. In a sense these landscapes serve mostly as dressing to enhance the outward look of the house. But a fine courtyard garden is different. It is smack in the middle of the house and the house surrounds it. It is not wide open to the world, but instead is a place to get away from it all, a place to be outside, but not to be out in the open. The best courtyards are open to the sky, have water, vines, a multitude of interesting flowers, trees, potted plants. A large number of the very finest courtyard plants are discussed in detail in this excellent book. I was struck by how interesting the numerous photos and designs were. Profusely illustrated, each one serves a definitive purpose. I was struck too, by how many different things go into the making of a well thought out courtyard. What is involved so that it will be warm in the winter and cool in the hot summer. What is involved so that it becomes a place where people want to be. I took many notes as I read this large book and some day I plan to build a house of my own design, and in the middle of it, I'm going to have a courtyard. And in this courtyard, I'll have all the things needed, the ingredients so carefully detailed here, that make the right courtyard a magical place. I'd recommend this book for anyone who ever plans to build their own home, for all landscape designers, for all architects, for anyone with a serious interest in horticulture and design. An excellent book.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Exceptional Book, March 6, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Courtyards: Aesthetic, Social, and Thermal Delight (Hardcover)

`Courtyards' is a rare and captivating book. I think it tries to be many things; I think it succeeds completely. It has the visual elegance of a coffee table book, but is as far as it can be from being a bauble. It is a comprehensive architectural treatise, presenting not only conceptual discussions but also detailed, comparative technical information. In this it does not shy away from scientific explanations, showing precisely how and why courtyards do what they do. Perhaps above all, it is clearly a work of passion. Professor Reynolds loves his work, his subject, and obviously loves sitting in courtyards and marveling at what they can do to a home's comfort and allure. It is a book to dream on.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must have for courtyard designer, March 26, 2002

By 

Can Elmas (iSTANBUL Turkey) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Courtyards: Aesthetic, Social, and Thermal Delight (Hardcover)

Courtyards book is filling a gap in architectural book market where much is focused on nice pictures and minimal designs. Few technical books that gets published receive little attention. But this book will attract the designer as well as the technician.
All technical aspects are simlply stated and science and aesthetics of the courtyards are very well covered with nice drawings and beautiful photos. The guidelines that summarize the long research are very clear, creating a pattern language for courtyard design.

Being an architect from Turkey, I have been interested with courtyards and did some research. This book is doing much groundwork for those who will design a residential courtyard. But the guidelines would also apply to commercial atriums.

Too bad that housing today is understood as single family housing in American Style Villas or public housing as high rise apartment buildings. This book proves that with the correct guidelines very nice and dense housing is possible.

Ýt inspired me to do some courtyard housing design. I am sure it will be one of the most used buildings of my library.