Multiple Courtyards: Each More Private Than the Last

A floor plan of a larger residence. The first courtyard is for receiving external guests, more formal; passing through a doorway leads to the second courtyard, used daily by family members, with more plantings and a pond; further inside, there is a work courtyard for servants and the kitchen. The three courtyards are connected by narrow doors, deepening in layers. Avoid: placing all functions in the same courtyard, allowing external guests direct access to the inner courtyard, connecting courtyards with wide openings, or neglecting the separation of work and living courtyards.

Translated from Chinese by AI.

一張較大宅邸的平面。第一進是接待外客的院子,較為正式;穿過門道進入第二進是家人日常使用的院子,種植與水池較多;更裡面還有僕役與廚房的工作院。三個院子由窄門串起,層層深入。避免:把所有機能放在同一個院子、讓外客可以直接走到內院、各院之間用寬敞的開口相連、忽略工作院與生活院的分離。