The Natural Energies Advanced Technologies Laboratory at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas

The 2030 Challenge Workshop Series

Courtyards: Aesthetic, Social, and Thermal Delight
John Reynolds, FAIA, ACSA Distinguished Professor of Architecture
Workshop 2 of 3, November 2nd, 2006

On Thursday, November 2nd at 8:30 AM, ACSA Distinguished Professor of Architecture John Reynolds will examine a particular building form with both ancient roots and future promise. The courtyard offers a very private refuge in densely settled neighborhoods. By bringing nature into the heart of a building, it offers refreshing change along with opportunities for natural lighting, heating, and cooling. Housing is probably the most common building type to use the courtyard, but this talk will show a wide variety of building types with beautiful places: rooms without roofs.

The courtyard is usually the social center of the building it serves. Thus, the workshop's content will revolve around people, plants, climate, and architecture, while focusing on a building form widely used around the world. Come see why so many people love their courtyards, and how designers can create courtyards that perform technically, socially, and aesthetically.