ON THE MICROCLIMATIC BEHAVIOR OF 2 SEMIENCLOSED ATTACHED COURTYARDS IN A HOT DRY REGION

Enclosed and attached courtyards are common architectural patterns-thr oughout many periods of history and in many regions. They are often re ferred to in the professional and scientific literature as microclimat e modifiers, which may improve thermal comfort conditions in the enclo sed as well as the attached built volume. This statement may be correc t only under certain conditions, and is subject to a Number of specifi c requirements: the relative dimensions of open space and built volume , the treatment of exposed exposed surfaces, and the orientation of th e open space. The results of monitoring undertaken in tile Negev Highl ands are presented and compared to commonly accepted attitudes on the subject. Measurements were taken in two identically shaped and similar ly treated, but differently oriented, courtyards. The results show a d efinite influence of orientation on the microclimatic conditions of th e open space.