The values of the inner courtyard and their reflection on contemporary interior design

The courtyard has played a pivotal role in the architecture of buildings since ancient times. Rather, this role has grown over the ages to become multiple roles, some of which aim to achieve visual contact with nature and result in generating a sense of physiological comfort, in addition to achieving the efficiency of internal spaces, which results in psychological comfort. The courtyard is still being employed in contemporary architectural trends, but with a distinctive character that differs according to the philosophy of each of these trends and contemporary design schools. It has transformed from a traditional style to a creative style, as it embodies harmonious coexistence with nature, which has been proven to have a positive benefit on the mental, physical and social health of the residents of internal spaces in their various fields and specializations, such as residential, administrative, educational, health and recreational spaces. The study has proven the weakness of the role of the courtyard in some models of contemporary local architecture due to the absence of features and design standards appropriate to the concepts of designing internal spaces in contemporary architectural trends. The research paper deals with the features of the courtyard, its types and its development over the ages and the mechanism of designing contemporary internal courtyards in internal spaces in their various fields and their development in light of the emergence of many architectural trends. Contemporary through an analytical study of some local and global examples.