The courtyard house is a type of house design with a central courtyard that is popular in Mediterranean countries such as Greece. It is often an enclosed space, opened to the sky, but can also be covered with a roof. In colder climates, indoor courtyards can provide a sheltered space between the building’s interior and exterior. Ancient Greeks used the courtyard house design for many reasons. The courtyard house design allowed for ventilation, keeping indoor areas cooler and more comfortable in the summer months, and providing the residents with natural light. The courtyard house design also provided a safe and private living space, as courtyards are generally surrounded by walls. The walls also muffled sound, providing some privacy from passers-by or neighbors, as well as a barrier against intruders. Ancient Greeks also used the design to enhance the look of a house as the courtyard allowed the Italianate stairways that decorated the buildings to be seen from the exterior. Ancient Greek House Designs: Courtyard Houses
The two-roomed house is a type of house plan that was used by many ancient Greeks. It was usually a square shape with two rooms and a central courtyard. The two rooms were separated by a hall with an open-ended archway. This type of house was useful for larger families, where having two separate rooms meant that parents and children could sleep separately. In terms of interior design, the two-roomed house had little decoration. Furnishings were minimal and often made of wood. Ancient Greeks used wooden benches and tables, which were often decorated with pottery or metalwork. Floors were usually made of clay or hard earth, and walls were often made of white plaster. Ancient Greek House Plans: Two-roomed House
The open-hall house is a type of house plan developed in ancient Greece. It consists of a central living area, which is called an andron, and two side rooms, which were used for sleeping. The andron would be open to the courtyard at the center of the house, and it would be used for entertaining guests. This type of house plan was most common in large cities, where the andron was used to host guests or political assemblies. The interior of the open-hall house was often decorated with pottery and metalwork, as well as wall frescoes. Floors were typically made of clay or hard earth, and walls were often decorated with white plaster. In terms of furniture, Ancient Greeks used wooden benches and tables, which were often decorated with pottery or metalwork. Ancient Greek House Plans: Open-Hall House
The courtyard house is a type of house plan that was used in ancient Greece. It is often an enclosed space, opened to the sky, but can also be covered with a roof. In colder climates, indoor courtyards can provide a sheltered space between the building’s interior and exterior. Ancient Greeks used the courtyard house design for many reasons. The courtyard house design allowed for ventilation, keeping indoor areas cooler and more comfortable in the summer months, and providing the residents with natural light. Aside from providing ventilation, the courtyard house design also provided a safe and private living space, as courtyards are generally surrounded by walls. The walls also muffled sound, providing some privacy from passers-by or neighbors, as well as a barrier against intruders. Ancient Greeks also used the design to enhance the look of a house as the courtyard allowed the Italianate stairways that decorated the buildings to be seen from the exterior. Ancient Greek Courtyard House Plans
Ancient Greeks often incorporated a sense of symmetry in house designs. Symmetry was typically used to achieve harmony and balance, as well as to make a space look more attractive. This was achieved through the use of identical elements on opposite sides of a building, such as columns or windows, to create a compositional order and balance. In the courtyard house design, the symmetrical layout of the interior space provided a sense of order and balance, while the central courtyard was often decorated with Greek pottery and metalwork to give the house a sense of grandeur. Symmetry was also used in more elaborate house plans, such as the two-roomed house and open-hall house. In these types of plans, a symmetrical layout was often used to achieve a balanced look and a sense of harmony. Ancient Greek Symmetry in House Designs
In ancient Greece, the andron was a private dwelling designed to provide a place for families to spend private time together. The andron was usually an open-ended hall that was used for entertaining guests or political assemblies. The andron was typically used to entertain guests or political assemblies, while the two side rooms were used for sleeping. In addition to providing a place for entertaining guests, the andron was also used to enhance the look of the house as it allowed the Italianate stairways that decorated the buildings to be seen from the exterior. In terms of interior design, the andron was often left bare or decorated with pottery and metalwork. Floors were typically made of clay or hard earth, and walls were often decorated with white plaster. Furniture was usually minimal, consisting of wooden benches and tables. In terms of decoration, it was not uncommon for the andron to be decorated with wall frescoes depicting scenes from mythology or everyday life. Ancient Greek Private Dwelling Plans: Andron
Hypocaust houses were a type of house design developed in Ancient Greece. These houses featured underfloor heating, called a hypocaust, which kept the house warm. This type of house plan was often used in cooler climates and was a common sight in cities like Athens. Hypocaust houses were made of stone and often had an entirely stone roof, which provided a great deal of insulation. The hypocaust houses typically featured a central hallway, known as an andron, with smaller rooms on the sides. These side rooms were used for sleeping, while the andron served as an entertaining space. The interior of hypocaust houses was often decorated with wall frescoes and pottery, and furniture was usually made from wood. Floors were typically made of clay or hard earth, and walls were often decorated with white plaster. Ancient Greek Hypocaust Houses
The Tripartite house plan was developed in ancient Greece and was one of the most popular house designs. The Tripartite house is a symmetrical design with three parts: the andron, the opisthodomos, and the living areas. The andron is the center hall of the house, used for entertaining guests or attending political assemblies. The opisthodomos is the back hall, which served as the bedroom and was used for sleeping. Finally, the living area was the main area of the home, where the family gathered to eat, relax, and spend time together. In terms of interior design, the Tripartite house was often decorated with pottery and metalwork, as well as wall frescoes. Floors were typically made of clay or hard earth, and walls were often decorated with white plaster. Furniture was usually minimal, consisting of wooden benches and tables. Ancient Greek House Plans: Tripartite
The traditional house plan is an ancient Greek house design that has remained virtually unchanged since the 8th century BC. The traditional house plan consists of a central courtyard, four sides, and two wings. The central courtyard was used for gatherings and ceremonies, as well as a place to hang laundry. The wings were typically reserved for sleeping and other private activities. In terms of interior design, the traditional house plan usually had little decoration, with each side of the house being decorated in the same way. Furnishings were usually made of wood, and floors were typically made of clay or hard earth. Walls were often made of white plaster, and many houses had a central hearth which served as a gathering place for the family. Ancient Greek Traditional House Plans
The International Style house plan is a type of house design which was developed in Greece during the mid to late 20th century. It combines ancient Greek elements with modern design, resulting in an aesthetically pleasing and functional home. The International Style house plan typically consists of a simple, rectangular plan, with a central courtyard and large windows allowing for plenty of natural light. The interior of the house is usually sparsely decorated, with clean lines and minimal furniture. In terms of interior design, the International Style house plan typically had little decoration, with each side of the house being decorated in the same way. Furnishings were usually made of wood, and floors were typically made of clay or hard earth. Walls were often made of white plaster, and many houses had a central hearth which served as a gathering place for the family. Ancient Greek International Style House Plans