Riad: The house turns inward, not outward

A courtyard house that is entirely inward-facing. From the alley, only a towering plain earth wall and a small door are visible, with no windows facing outwards; upon entering, one must turn two corners to reach the central courtyard, and then the entire house instantly opens up: four floors surround a patio, and all rooms have windows opening only towards the courtyard. Outside is noise and dust, inside is the sound of water and shadows. This contrast between inside and outside is the premise of this style. Avoid: opening large windows on the exterior walls, making the entrance directly visible into the courtyard, having rooms open windows outwards, making the courtyard an open, unenclosed space.

Translated from Chinese by AI.

一棟完全向內的院落住宅。從巷子看過去只有一道高聳的素土牆與一扇小門,沒有任何窗戶對外;進門要轉兩個彎才會到達中庭,然後整棟房子瞬間打開:四面樓層圍著一個天井,所有的房間都只朝中庭開窗。外面是喧鬧與塵土,裡面是水聲與陰影。這個內外的反差是這個風格的前提。避免:在外牆開大面積的窗、把入口做成可以直接看進中庭、讓房間朝外開窗、把中庭做成沒有圍合的開放庭院。