Why Courtyards Still Matter?
- Preethi
- Oct 7
- 2 min read
Updated: Oct 8
There’s something about a courtyard that never leaves you. Maybe it’s the way light keeps changing through the day, or how the whole house somehow feels more alive because of it.
My love for courtyards began in my hometown, Marudhur. Our ancestral home had one. Nothing fancy, just open, earthy, and full of stories. I had visited it many times as a child, but only after studying architecture did I start to see what made it special. The way spaces quietly revolved around it, how air and light slipped in without effort, how it connected everything without saying a word.
Today, most of us live on smaller plots and still dream of having that little patch of sky inside our homes. And honestly, it is possible if we think of it not as a copy of old courtyards, but as a version that suits how we live now.
You do not always need it in the centre like in traditional houses. It helps to find a corner that feels bright but not harsh, that catches light softly. A courtyard does not need to be big. It just needs to breathe.
Courtyards are not only about looks. They are meant to let hot air escape, bring in daylight, and make the house feel comfortable. If you are covering it with glass, make sure there are shaded vents with mesh so the space still breathes. Otherwise, it becomes a skylight, which gives light but not the same comfort or ventilation.
And when space is tight, every bit of open area should serve a purpose. Keep the courtyard accessible atleast from two sides. Use it for drying clothes, having plants, tea-time chats, or small gatherings. Even for Vasal Pongal, like in many Tamil homes. We designed one like that in a house in Trichy, small but full of life.
Every courtyard tells a story. Mine began in Marudhur. Yours might begin in the home you are building today. Because a courtyard is never just a design feature. It is a reminder that light, air, and togetherness still make the most beautiful homes.
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