The courtyard’s environmental effectiveness in countering the spread of airborne viruses and its fresh air public health benefits have been cited as reasons for a resurgence in the popularity of the traditional Bahraini structure amongst the kingdom’s malls.
Saudi-based researcher Dalia Eldardiry, who is the vice-dean of Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University College of Design, Dammam explored courtyards’ appeal using Bahrain’s malls as a case study.
The report found that during the Covid-19 pandemic, courtyards allowed malls to continue limited activities like film screenings, National Day celebrations, yoga classes, chess tournaments, arts and craft events and more.
“Bahrain’s courtyard has been well-known as a climatic solution in buildings for a long time,” Ms Eldardiry notes in the study titled ‘An Appraisal of the Use of Courtyard for Controlling the Spread of Covid-19 in Commercial Buildings’.
“Due to Bahrain’s harsh environment – high temperature and humidity – the use of the courtyard around the year was widespread.”
The report goes on to note that with the advent of artificial air conditioning, most malls, like City Centre Bahrain, opted for a fully indoor shopping experience, with some providing indoor daylight with the use of skylights, like Al Aali Mall.
However, during the Covid-19 pandemic, these closed spaces became “hazards of virus transmission, threatening trading activities,” the report claimed.
Ms Eldardiry then goes on to highlight the environmental, social and economic benefits of courtyards.
The report notes that “the courtyard is generally filled with vegetation and a garden area which keeps the building cool even in arid climates, perfect for the Bahrain environment.”
Socially, it notes that courtyard becomes the preferred seating area during Bahrain’s winter.
And economically, “a courtyard can decrease a building’s temperature in Bahrain’s climate and save on electricity bills.”
The report also notes the benefits of having natural cooling elements like an artificial waterfall, a basin, thick external walls, a water fountain and double-glazed benefits in further managing courtyard temperatures.
“A courtyard helps the building be appropriately warm or cool without artificial tools such as air-conditioners, with natural ventilation,” the report adds.
Ms Eldardiry cites Argan Village in Bu Qwah and El Mercado in Janabiya as effective examples of the use of courtyards.
It noted that when malls and indoor spaces were locked down during the pandemic, “commercial buildings with courtyards hosted some outdoor activities, which helped Bahrain’s trading environment.”
This included film screenings, art fairs, classes and chess tournaments, while its surrounding elements provided shade to visitors.
The report concludes with four predictions about how the Covid-19 pandemic could affect future architectural strategies.
“Social distancing must be considered to mitigate the dramatic impact of future health crises,” Ms Eldardiry points out.
“Modern yet simple designs which are resistant to uncleanliness while also stimulating natural sunlight and openness are being implemented. Reducing density in indoor spaces is now increasingly important and contactless design features have become a mainstay in the field.”
The report was published at the end of last month in a special issue of the New Design Ideas academic journal.
naman@gdnmedia.bh
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