Reinterpreting courtyards: Design for occupant health and well-being

Courtyards are often interpreted as traditional and vernacular architectural forms which have been abandoned due to individualism superseding collective society values, an increase in land values and buildings becoming overly dependent on artificial lighting and mechanical ventilation. This paper aims to justify the reintroduction of courtyards in residential buildings in the Middle East and Arab region specifically for health benefits through the admittance and control of full-spectrum natural light. This is especially important for Arab, Muslim women who have been reported to have high percentages of vitamin D deficiency. By incorporating a private outdoor space, such as a courtyard, in their home, occupants gain the freedom and flexibility to receive recommended light exposure for the synthesis of vitamin D in a controlled environment. Upon reviewing the human, climatic and geographical factors that influence UV exposure received, a series of questions were derived: What design criteria does a space in this region need to fulfil in order to encourage occupants to spend time outdoors to receive their daily UVB exposure? How can architecture act as a mediating component between those factors? To what extent do the design parameters offset each other? This paper explores available evidence and the current contextual relationship between behavioural, environmental, architectural elements and health consequences and introduces a model of their inter-relationship with a view to working towards a solution.