Book authored by Ar.Yatin Pandya entitled “Courtyard Houses of India” has been launched

In ancient Indian sciences, the courtyard assumes the central position as Brahmasthana, the nucleus of the living environment. It provided for an open-to-sky outdoor space while being away from the public eye and thus suited an introverted lifestyle.

Indian architecture is not an object in space; it integrates space within the object, where the built and the unbuilt become counterpoints to vitalize each other. The alchemy of the two sustains the space and the life within. The void within the built—the courtyard—lies at the genesis of the urban dwelling form in India across geography and time.

In ancient Indian sciences, the courtyard assumes the central position as Brahmasthana, the nucleus of the living environment. It provided for an open- to-sky outdoor space while being away from the public eye and thus suited an introverted lifestyle. In this book, the author traces the metaphysical, mythical, socio-cultural, environmental and spatial roles of the courtyard in the domestic architecture of India—from early civilization and Vedic times to Islamic and colonial influences.

This volume documents traditional and vernacular courtyard dwelling types across India within diverse climatic, cultural as well as geographic zones such as western (Gujarat,Rajasthan, Maharashtra), southern (Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Goa), eastern (Bihar, West Bengal), central (Madhya Pradesh) and northern (Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Ladakh). It then discerns the spatial elements constituting the court, and the arts, the crafts as well as the elements integral to the court. Illustrated with splendid photographs and representative drawings, the book attempts to understand the presence and resolution, continued use and adaptation as well as the diverse interpretations and abstractions of the courtyard.

Written by Ar. Yatin Pandya and published by Mapin Publishing. The book has received 2 coveted awards for the research namely Indian institute of architects award as well as archi award for excellence. A large comet (10.5 inch by 10.5 inch) Hard bound book is rich with 470 pages, 352 photographs, 333 drawings and 18 maps. Architect professors dick van ga meren of delft university Netherlands has written the foreword. The retail price of the publication is ₹4500 $75 £55.

Author of the Book:- Ar. Yatin Pandya
Publishing House:- Mapin Publishing
Collation of Press Release:- Ar. Kritika Juneja.

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