The evolution of the inner courtyard in Israel: A reflection of the relationship between the Western modernist hegemony and the Mediterranean environment

Spatial and formal components constituted the basis of pre-World War II modernist architecture. However, at that time, the courtyard next to the house did not receive the same focused attention. The reawakening of attention directed towards the inner courtyard that came after World War II affected also the housing planning in Israel. The article analyzes the incorporation of an inner courtyard as part of Israeli institutional architecture in four housing models. Reviewing projects that deal with the definition and construction of a house reveals that the Israeli origin and use of the inner courtyard reflected cultural and conceptual values of both architects and residents.