User analysis
User Research linkage Functional needs Experiential Required
/Emotional Needs Space
Youth Mixed-use learning Study spots, shaded Comfort, Quiet
environments with circulation, spill-over belonging, relief reflection
semi-open spaces near from campus zones,
courtyards improve courtyards noise, relaxation, gathering spots
informal learning & rest for eating,
collaboration, studio talking,
apartments with
shared courtyards
for interaction
Elderly Research shows that Quiet work lounges, Mental clarity, low Cafes, Meeting
semi-open semi-private meeting stress spaces,
courtyards support areas, calm gardens to
reflective thinking, circulation routes relax
low-stress
movement, and
cross-disciplinary
interaction
Women Courtyard-integrated Flexible work zones, Calm, mental Co-working
workplaces increase breakout spaces, clarity, low visual courtyard,
productivity, daylight meeting nodes stress break spots,
access, and social semi-open
interaction meeting niches
Men A breathable pause Recreational space, Safety, sense of Gathering pits,
within a high traffic promenade around openness, cafes,
urban edge, a courtyards excitement, reflection
moment of curiosity spots
relaxation
Children semi-enclosed, Safe movement Joy, freedom, Children’s play
supervised open zones, soft play safety, curiosity courtyard,
spaces support safe areas, visibility for soft-floor
social learning and guardians, shaded activity pocket,
physical play pockets family seating
development near play zone
Small Courtyard edges Utilities access, Opportunity, Market
Vendors / naturally support visibility, flexible vibrancy courtyard,
Pop-up micro-economies stalls pop-up kiosks,
Businesses and community spill-out edges
markets
Precedent studies
Precedent Lesson Program Impact (How it
Shapes Your Building)
Harem Courtyards – Topkapi Layered courtyard hierarchy, multiple courtyard layers
Palace, Istanbul gradual privacy transitions, (public → semi-public →
shaded circulation spines, private); design cool, shaded
human-scaled edges circulation; use threshold,
integrated with nature zones
to guide users smoothly into
mixed-use spaces
The Street: Pune Clubhouse, Playful spatial sequencing, small activity pockets along
India porous boundaries, circulation; design spill-out
interconnected micro-courtyards, edges for café/retail;
strong indoor–outdoor transitions connect all floors visually
through vertical courtyard
voids
SanBaopeng Art Museum Experiential courtyards: sunken, enhance artistic/experiential
elevated, controlled light wells, quality of the central
integrated with nature, along a courtyard, utilisation of
straight line, however forces to daylight/lighting in
view each courtyard differently, courtyards as a navigation
Good for colder climates and experiential tool
Walden 7, Barcelona Layered communal courtyards; multi-level communal
spatial porosity; tight-knit terraces, design visual
community created through connections between floors
interconnected terraces and provide shared semi-
open terraces for residents
and office users
Issam Fares Institute, AUB (by The floating massing creates elevated masses to shade
Zaha Hadid) shaded plazas courtyards as the courtyard (semi-covered
passive cooling devices and fluid ones), create fluid
circulation around open voids, circulation loops; make
easy navigation for users courtyards as microclimates
and space for social
interactions
American University of Beirut Courtyards as social condensers, shaded, socially active
(Campus Courtyards) comfortable microclimates, key courtyards in the mixed-use
nodes for learning and community building, integrate seating
bonding clusters, plants, and
gathering nodes to enhance
community use
Design Parameters
Design Parameter Spatial Response Space
Contextual – Noise Mitigation Noise buffers through layered Inward courtyards, courtyards
setbacks, vegetation screens, integrated with nature. Buffer
inward-facing program, zones
absorbing sound/ diffusing-
landscaping, acoustic walls,
orientation of facades
Experiential – Social Encounter Intersections, widened nodes, Circular courtyards, lounges,
/ Chance Interaction shared seating edges nooks
Programmatic – Mixed-Use Layering vertical and horizontal Retail ground floor, mid-level
Integration functions, shared central co-working, residential/hostel
courtyards, upper floors, walkways,
gardens
Contextual – Climatic Comfort Create shaded circulation, Semi=covered/enclosed
narrow–wide alternating passageways, open
passages, evaporative cooling courtyards, micro climatic
from courtyards; impluvium. courtyards, gardens, water
Vegetation pockets
Experiential – Intimacy Courtyards in sequence; Public plazas, markets,
Gradient thresholds created through community courtyards, inward
narrowing, level change, courtyards, private (residential)
material shift balconies, small atriums,
terraces etc.
Social – Inclusivity & Safety Visual surveillance (visibility), Children play pocket, seating
screened partitions, well-lit with visibility, lighted stair
walkways, layered privacy atrium
Theoretical – Critical Use of local materials, tactile Brick screens, recessed
Regionalism surfaces, climate-responsive windows, thermal mass walls,
geometry, Courtyard-centric locally inspired patterns
spatial structure
Experiential- Hierarchy Primary circulation that is wide, Main circulation spine vs. inner
bright, and active; secondary alleys leading to private
circulation more intimate and terraces/ micro courtyards
narrower.
Programmatic – Community Multi-functional courtyard that Community courtyard,
Belonging adapts to events, small exhibition corridor, weekend
workshop/market bays market spots
Identify Spaces and Relationships
Space User Function Approximate Relationship/nature
area
Entrance lobby General Gathering, 800-1000 sq ft Semi covered, next to
Public, arrival, meeting drop off, pedestrian
Woman, point entry ramps, Faces
Men, Youth, Park Road; transition
Elderly, from noisy street to
Professionals quiet interior, porous
edge, shaded, visual
connection to main
courtyard
Community Hall General Easy 29,000- Semi covered, open,
Public, navigation, 52,3000sq ft integrated with
Woman, gathering, vegetation and water
Men, Youth, glimpse of what elements
Elderly, is ahead
Professionals
Retail spine General Main 80-100 sq ft Semi-covered, flows
Public, circulation vertically and
Woman, spine horizontally,
Men, Youth, connecting to major
Elderly, zones such as main
Professionals courtyards,
Vendors residential zone etc
Workshops x3 General Secondary 625-750 sq ft Semi-covered/
Public, circulation covered, connects to
Woman, spine pause niches,
Men, Youth, intimate zones
Elderly,
Professionals
Parking General Holds cars, 18,000-20,000 Sunken parking with
Public, bikes, bicycles, sq ft courtyards
Woman, vans etc.
Men, Youth,
Elderly,
Professionals
Cafe x2 General Gathering, 1100-1800 sq Semi-covered, spill
Public, socialising, ft out edges, integrated
Woman, interaction, with courtyards,
Men, Youth, studying, vegetation as buffer
Elderly, provides a zones
Professionals connection to
tea culture of
Pakistan
Co-working spaces General Working, 13,000-30 Semi-covered, spill
- Meeting pods Public, studying, 000sq ft out edges, integrated
- Lounge Woman, learning, with courtyards,
Men, Youth, teaching, vegetation as buffer
- Working spots Elderly, attending zones, different
(spill out) Professionals meetings, levels, visible from
hosting Park road
meetings
Interior Gardens General Contemplation, 300-1200 sq ft Open, semi- covered,
Public, relaxing, pathways, along the
Woman, gathering, primary circulation
Men, Youth, sitting spine
Elderly,
Professionals
Gymnasium Woman, Waiting, 3500-5000 sq Semi-enclosed, with
Men, Youth, interactive ft micro courtyards
Administration Staff, visitors, Working, 400-800 sq ft Semi-enclosed, with
students, interaction micro courtyards
residents,
public
Beithak General Micro-climatic, 1100-1650 sq Open, semi-enclosed,
Public, contemplation ft plantation and water
Woman, elements
Men, Youth,
Elderly,
Professionals
Prayer area General Rainwater 2400- 8400 sq Used vertically,
Public, storage, ft integrated with an
Woman, allowing impluvium
Men, Youth, daylight inside
Elderly, enclosed
Professionals spaces
Multi-purpose General Gathering, 6000-8000 sq Open, semi-covered,
courtyards Public, interacting, ft in the centre, divided
Woman, children into different levels
Men, Youth, playing,
Elderly, exhibiting,
Professionals movement,
pause
Contemplation General Relaxing, 42-390 sq ft Integrated with Char
courtyards Public, contemplating bagh elements,
Woman, hidden
Men, Youth,
Elderly,
Professionals
Kid activity zones General Playing, 1000-4900 Semi-covered, semi-
Public, surveillance by sqft enclosed, safe and
Students, the parents, protected, next to
passersby, gathering main courtyard
office
workers,
children
Library General Working, 11,000-20,000 Semi-covered, semi-
Public, studying, sq ft enclosed, next to
Students, learning, residential and co-
passersby, teaching, working spaces,
office attending integrated with nature
workers, meetings, and gardens
residents, meetings
chidrens
Recreational hall General Gathering, 10,000-15,000 Semi-covered
Public, socialising sq ft
Woman,
Men, Youth,
Elderly,
Professionals
children,
residents
Restrooms/washrooms General For ablution, 150-300 sq ft Encloses, micro-
Public, rest courtyards, next to
Woman, primary corridors and
Men, Youth, courtyards
Elderly,
Professionals
Service rooms Staff, Storage, 100-250 sq ft Enclosed, near
cleaning service primary spaces
workers
Studio apartments Residents, Living, resting 550-890 sq ft Enclosed with micro
visitors etc courtyards, next to
terraces
Apartment Lobby Residents, Waiting 400-600 sq ft Semi-enclosed
visitors, staff
Terraces Residents, Leisure, 250-500 sq ft Semi-covered
visitors, staff working,
socialising
Outdoor space Users Area
Corridors 20-30 4500-6500
Micro courtyards 10-15 200-390
Standard courtyards 100-200 1000-1200
Atriums 5-10 500-600
Pause spaces 5-10 42-100
Gardens 20-50 1200-1650
Multi-purpose sports court
Community Farming
Program Users (approximate) Area (sq ft)
Workshops 20-30 2000-2500
Co-working (study pods, 80-120 4000-5000
meeting rooms, communal
work lounge)
Clinic 20-30 2500
Daycare 20-50 1500-2000
Gymnasium 40-60 (at a time) 3500
Prayer hall 200-250 3000
Pharmacy 20-30 1500-2000
Convenience Store 40-50 2000
ATMs (2-3 + waiting) 15-25 550-750
Total 18,750
Type No. Of Units Avg area per unit User Total (sq ft)
Studio 30 550 30 16,500
1 bed 40 750 80 30,000
2 bed 30 1050 100-120 31.000
3 bed 15 1400 75 21.000
Total units= 115 98,000
Program Users Area
Multipurpose hall 60-80 4000
Indoor activity 30-40 3000
Community lounge 150-200 1500
Total 8500
Services = 14,250
Total Built area = 1,40,000
Program Users Area
Green courtyards (4-5) 100-159 10.000
Communal gathering (primary) 300+ 18,000
Therapy gardens 20-25 500-1000
Community Gardens 80-100 6000-8000
Quiet zones 5-12 550-650
Total 42,650
30% of Covered area = 42,000 (circulation)
Total covered area = 1,40,000/ 42000 = 3.3%
FAR = 1.6
Design Parameters
Design Parameter Spatial Response Space
Contextual – Noise Mitigation Noise buffers through layered Inward courtyards, courtyards
setbacks, vegetation screens, integrated with nature. Buffer
inward-facing program, zones
absorbing sound/ diffusing-
landscaping, acoustic walls,
orientation of facades
Experiential – Social Encounter Intersections, widened nodes, Circular courtyards, lounges,
/ Chance Interaction shared seating edges nooks
Programmatic – Mixed-Use Layering vertical and horizontal Retail ground floor, mid-level
Integration functions, shared central co-working, residential/hostel
courtyards, upper floors, walkways,
gardens
Contextual – Climatic Comfort Create shaded circulation, Semi=covered/enclosed
narrow–wide alternating passageways, open
passages, evaporative cooling courtyards, micro climatic
from courtyards; impluvium. courtyards, gardens, water
Vegetation pockets
Experiential – Intimacy Courtyards in sequence; Public plazas, markets,
Gradient thresholds created through community courtyards, inward
narrowing, level change, courtyards, private (residential)
material shift balconies, small atriums,
terraces etc.
Social – Inclusivity & Safety Visual surveillance (visibility), Children play pocket, seating
screened partitions, well-lit with visibility, lighted stair
walkways, layered privacy atrium
Theoretical – Critical Use of local materials, tactile Brick screens, recessed
Regionalism surfaces, climate-responsive windows, thermal mass walls,
geometry, Courtyard-centric locally inspired patterns
spatial structure
Experiential- Hierarchy Primary circulation that is wide, Main circulation spine vs. inner
bright, and active; secondary alleys leading to private
circulation more intimate and terraces/ micro courtyards
narrower.
Programmatic – Community Multi-functional courtyard that Community courtyard,
Belonging adapts to events, small exhibition corridor, weekend
workshop/market bays market spots