As the average size of the new American home stays grows larger, building lots seem to have become costlier and smaller, forcing the nation's homebuilders to look for ways to take full advantage of whatever home site space they can. Thus, the courtyard, an ancient expression of "outside-in" architecture, has suddenly become popular in new-home designs.

As it turns out, many Americans have begun to embrace this private, protected open space within the confines of their new homes with great gusto. Nearly every major production homebuilder has found ways to incorporate the side or front courtyard entry into one or more of their designs. Some builders even offer wine-tasting rooms, waterfalls, fountains, or built-in barbecues to enhance these areas as options to their homebuyers.

L.Sprague DeCamp, author of the classic book, "The Ancient Engineers," says courtyards were present in both Asian and European residences centuries ago.

"The larger Etruscan houses were built on the Near Eastern central court plan," he writes, "with a hole in the roof over the central court and a cistern below the hole to catch the rain water."

In ancient Roman times, homes were built with solid, thick exterior walls, permitting light to enter the interior only through roof space and inward-facing window openings, according to De Camp. The reasons for this included protection against invaders or thieves, as well as the degree of coolness the stone and mud-brick constructed confines offered during the hot summer months.

The use of small window openings was common, but not large windows: Even in later times, glass was used in only the most expensive homes and castles, with shutters remaining as the only way of keeping out the elements.

During the last two centuries of the Roman Republic, other types of dwellings began to take shape, he writes.

"The rich built large country houses, called villas. .....The traditional house, which was closed in upon itself, now unfolded and opened outward, like a flower. The peace of the early Principate made it no longer necessary to build each house like a miniature fortress."

Is the courtyard a much-needed place for respite for American homeowners, whose increasing lack of free time makes private, relaxing spaces like these even more precious?

Homebuilders today have found that recessing the entry door, reconfiguring and splitting garage spaces up to make rooms for a courtyard, and even adding a wrought iron or solid wood security gate to the equation have become popular designs with homebuyers. The idea of the outdoor anteroom gives occupants the ability to live and entertain outdoors during the good-weather months, offering them private lounging areas shielded from the view of nosy neighbors.

The concept is especially popular with the middle-aged and older set, happily willing to pay more for the privilege dispensing with yard maintenance.

Judy Bennett, an executive for Del Webb's active adult community in Lincoln Hills, Calif., acknowledges that homebuyers are practically giddy at the concept. Their sixteen model homes all display some concept of courtyard living.

"Some of our homeowners seem to spend more on their outdoor furniture than they do on their indoor furniture," she notes. "They like the idea of not to having to constantly keep their homes 'company-ready,' using their courtyard instead for entertaining."

It is heartening to realize that ancient historical architecture may be alive and well within even the most contemporary of American homes. Other Old World concepts, like domes, dining room roundhouses and entry turrets have also found their way back into new home designs, giving some credence to the expression that our homes as our castles after all.

The courtyard, however, just may be here to stay, giving us a taste of "la dolce vita" we once thought was reserved only for the most affluent of homeowners.

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