A Comparative Analysis of Traditional Turkish Courtyards in Hot-Dry and Hot-Humid Climate

Courtyards are important elements of traditional Turkish houses. In these buildings, the courtyard design, especially the geometrical form and interior features are different from each other depending on the climatic characteristics. This study aims to compare the courtyard designs in Diyarbakir (hot-dry) and Hatay (hot-humid) traditional architectures located in two different climates. While there are similarities in terms of square planned courtyard and the existence of landscape that contribute to the formation of shaded areas in the courtyards of Hatay and Diyarbakir, in terms of orientation, size/ratio and use of water element It was found that there are significant differences. It was found that the main purpose of the Diyarbak & imath;r courtyard was to escape from the sun, create shade, and provide evaporative cooling by increasing air humidity, while the main purpose of the Hatay courtyard was to create shade and benefit from the wind. The study is a guide for the preservation of the passive design features of traditional buildings and their use in modern buildings.