Central Courtyard ( Nadumuttam) -Traditional Kerala Sustainable Architecture

Central Courtyard - Traditional Green Features

Central courtyard was always been as a part of traditional Kerala architecture known as Nallukettu Style .Central courtyard (Nadumuttam) type construction has got many advantages. It will allow lot of day lighting and natural ventilation inside to the home and thus connectivity with the outside atmosphere. Fresh air will be brought in from the surrounding through the windows opening and push upward the hot air trapped inside the home to the outer atmosphere through the central courtyard . This arrangement will greatly minimize the hot island creation locally. I've incorporated this design element in my home construction.

Also central courtyard will encourage the connectivity between the inhabitants and can utilize as a play area for the children under the supervision of ladies who most of the time spent their quality time indoor traditionally. However, security will be major concern for many ,especially when they spent most of the time away from home .There are measure such as security mesh at the higher level to protect any security breach from the top side . This was another green feature I borrowed from the tradition.