THE COURTYARD IN RURAL HOMESTEADS OF BANGLADESH

Abstract

In rural settlements of the floodplains in Bangladesh, an intrinsic element is the homestead. The homestead layout is defined by the courtyard, formed by the arrangement of dwelling units and ancillary buildings around a rectan- gular open space. The courtyard has important physical and functional characteristics derived from local climatic requirements and living patterns. However, particularly in this predominantly Muslim society, the cultural norm of maintaining women’s privacy is an important factor behind the development of this archetypal space. Nonetheless, other ethnic communities in the floodplains also often have courtyards, suggesting that it is a regional archetype. The archetypal courtyard is now subject to transformation due to social, economic and environmental changes. If this trend continues, it would signal the loss of an important and long-lasting regional expression that has resulted from the blending of culture, climate and nature.