courtyards
Walled outdoor spaces
Courtyards is the plural of courtyard, an open area enclosed by walls or buildings.
Courtyards are architectural features in homes, palaces, monasteries, and public buildings, providing light, air, and gathering space: The hotel rooms overlooked a central courtyard with a fountain.
In warm climates, courtyards often serve as outdoor living areas.
Cultivated plant area
- terracePaved outdoor extension
- patioPaved outdoor living space
- alfrescoIn the open air
- haciendaSpanish-speaking country estate
outdoor living · compound · family gathering · private · intimate · shaded · seating · potted plants
Roofed central hall
- cloisterCovered monastic walkway
- quadrangleFour-sided figure or courtyard
- peristyleColumned enclosure around courtyard
- arcadeArched passageway or gaming hall
colonnade · loggia · portico · gallery · patio · plaza · piazza · forecourt
Fortified medieval residence
- palaceMonarch's official residence
- fortressHeavily defended military structure
- citadelFortified urban stronghold
- keepRetain or fortified tower
medieval · Renaissance · Moorish · Alhambra · Forbidden City · caravanserai · khan · agora
Institutional grounds and buildings
- quadEnclosed campus lawn
- quadrangleFour-sided figure or courtyard
- cloisterCovered monastic walkway
- monasteryReligious seclusion dwelling
university · college · hospital · prison · barracks · municipal · civic · assembly
Circulation of fresh air
- coolingLosing thermal energy
- breezeLight, gentle air movement
- shadeDarkness from blocked light
- microclimateLocalized atmospheric zone
passive cooling · natural light · airflow · temperature · shelter · canopy · awning · tropical
garden
Cultivated plant area
outdoor living · hacienda · compound · family gathering · private · intimate · shaded · seating · potted plants · lanterns
atrium
Roofed central hall
- cloisterCovered monastic walkway
- quadrangleFour-sided figure or courtyard
- peristyleColumned enclosure around courtyard
arcade · colonnade · loggia · portico · gallery · patio · plaza · piazza · forecourt · open-air
castle
Fortified medieval residence
- palaceMonarch's official residence
- fortressHeavily defended military structure
- citadelFortified urban stronghold
keep · medieval · Renaissance · Moorish · Alhambra · Forbidden City · caravanserai · khan · agora · Roman
campus
Institutional grounds and buildings
- quadEnclosed campus lawn
- quadrangleFour-sided figure or courtyard
- cloisterCovered monastic walkway
monastery · university · college · hospital · prison · barracks · municipal · civic · assembly · ceremony
ventilation
Circulation of fresh air
microclimate · passive cooling · natural light · airflow · temperature · shelter · canopy · awning · tropical · arid
temple
Sacred worship structure
monastery · cathedral · pagoda · synagogue · ablution · prayer · meditation · pilgrimage · cloister · garth
- Andean RuinsMachu Picchu, Inca ruins, Inca Trail, Moray, sun temple
- Buddhist monasteriesabbots, lamas, monastery life, monastic life, monastic vows
- facilitiesfactory, facilities, gym, plant, gyms
- JerusalemOld City, Western Wall, Dome of the Rock, Al-Aqsa Mosque, Temple Mount
- landscape designgarden design, landscape plans, plant selection, hardscape, softscape
- medinasouk, hammam, hammams, bazaar, kasbah
courtyardsinteriors
Inner parts of spaces
lobbies · foyers · atriums · great halls · ballrooms
courtyardsopen fields
Unenclosed expanses of land
wilderness · plains · expanses · public squares · streets
- courtyard gardensPlanted areas within enclosures
- inner courtyardEnclosed outdoor building space
- open courtyard