The Role of Courtyard Spaces in Vietnamese Vernacular Homes and Their Adaptation in Modern Interior Spaces

Abstract

In Vietnamese Vernacular architecture, the courtyard is the central element and space of the house. It simultaneously serves different and multiple functions such as ventilation, lighting, social interaction, washing, cultivation, and other cultural practices. However, in recent years, with rising population and urbanization, Vietnamese urban houses have become increasingly compact, with buildings stacking vertically and their horizontal space shrinking. As a result, the courtyard becomes more challenging to integrate within the new and contemporary houses. This thesis will explore the challenges facing the integration of the traditional courtyard into contemporary Vietnamese houses while keeping its cultural meaning and essence. This research will analyze the meaning and history of the courtyard in traditional vernacular Vietnamese architecture and how it was built in adaptation to the climate and the surrounding environment. The topic of urbanization will be reviewed to understand the problems that it causes in house design and how it brings limitations to the design choice for life needs. This paper will also address how the adaptation of the traditional courtyard offers new possibilities for designers to reintegrate cultural elements into contemporary Vietnamese houses while keeping the balance between tradition and function.