Exploring elements of courtyard houses from around the world and Berlin’s development of urban courtyard blocks
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2024
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AUTHOR-SUPPLIED ABSTRACT: Berlin's urban landscape reflects the city's history and its many chang- es. Courtyards are essential features of this ͏landscape, offering͏ pe͏ace- ful and communal spaces͏ within the urban environment. These courtyards are a product of Gustav Assmann's architectural concepts and Hobrecht's urban plans, creating a set of guidelines for not only the͏ courtyards but also the urban plans͏ (Borsi 2019). How- ever, their design has become somewhat outdated. The elements that defined the Wilhelminian-style block no lo͏nger͏ serve the same pur- pose͏. The leading proponents for change include changes in climate, living standards, and diverse family struc͏tures. This does not mean that all Berlin courtyards are ͏u͏nused and obso- lete. Many courtyards still provide gr͏een spaces and areas for commu- nity enga͏gement that are valuable to the community. However, some spaces need to be adapted to fit more contemporary needs. This thesis takes inspiration from the courtyard house typology, which offers adaptabl͏e elements suitable for many different contexts and scales. Across different communities, variations of the courtyard house typology show its͏ unique potential for urban design, such as in the context of Berlin. By integrating elements found in courtyar͏d hous͏es into Berlin's urban fabric, this thesis attempts to propose design solutions that address Berlin's current and future urban living challenges. The goal is to re- vitalise Berlin's courtyards, transforming them into spaces improving the quality of life for the residents and contributing towards a more connected urban environment. 7 Fig. 1 A photograph of the Heckmann courtyard, a residential courtyard in Berlin that has been adapted to host a cafe and a community area. (Pho- tograph courtesy of Axel Novak). 8