Courtyard housing is one of the oldest forms of domestic development spanning at least 2000 years and occurring in distinctive form in many regions of the world. Traditionally associated with the Middle East where climate and culture have given shape to a particular type of courtyard housing, other examples exist in Latin America, China and in Europe where the model has been reinterpreted. This book demonstrates, through discussions on sustainability and regional identity, and via a series of case studies, that she courtyard housing form has a future as well as a past.

Libraries and Learning Resource Centres is a comprehensive reference text examining the changing role and design of library buildings. Critical evaluations of international case studies demonstrate the principles of library design.Available for the first time in full colour, the second edition of the work focuses particularly on the important question of access and design in public libraries. Updated case studies and technical data allow the professional architect to use the book directly in planning library projects.Providing guidance on balancing the needs of the collection and the user,...