THE ARRANGEMENT AND OPENNESS OF OUTDOOR SPACES IN CONTEMPORARY JAPANESE COURTYARD HOUSES

Abstract

The aim of this study is to clarify the characteristics of outdoor spaces in contemporary Japanese courtyard houses. Analyzing the outdoor spaces' arrangement, and their visual openness and continuity with the surroundings, suggested 9 types of compositional schemes. The schemes include not only closed-type courtyards, but also courtyards that are partially open to the surrounding environment. Analysis revealed that the 4 most prevalent types feature outdoor spaces on multiple floors. This study also includes analysis of trends in these 9 courtyard house types since the 1960s.