Advances in Environmental Biology, 9(3) February 2015, Pages: 117-122 AENSI Journals Advances in Environmental Biology ISSN-1995-0756 EISSN-1998-1066 Journal home page: http://www.aensiweb.com/AEB/ Corresponding Author: Dana K. Amro, School of Housing, Building and Planning, Universiti Sains Malaysia E-mail: dana.amro79@gmail.com Analysis of the Interior Design Components in Traditional Courtyard Houses in Irbid, Jordan Dana K. Amro and Azizi Bahauddin School of Housing, Building and Planning, Universiti Sains Malaysia ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT Article history: Received 12 October 2014 Received in revised form 26 December 2014 Accepted 1 January 2015 Available online 17 February 2015 Keywords: traditional courtyard, interior design, culture heritage, space planning, privacy Courtyard housing has existed for thousands of years, and it first appeared in the buildings of the Belad Al-Sham area. In neighboring countries such as Jordan, traditional courtyard houses have their own characteristics that suit the local region, which affect interior elements. This courtyard is a private and isolated space surrounded by living spaces of the house. This study aims to identify similarities between the traditional courtyard houses in Jordan and the old Damascus courtyard houses. According to the study question what are the common interior design components in traditional courtyards houses in Jordan compared to traditional courtyard houses in old Damascus. A survey research design that uses content analysis techniques is used to explore the traditional courtyard houses in Jordan. These houses are then identified through field observation after site visits and photographic documentation. Two case studies were analyzed; these case studies cover two styles of interior design components in traditional courtyard houses in Jordan. Findings suggest few similarities between the two styles. However, the interior finishing in traditional courtyard houses in Jordan is simpler than that in the old Damascus courtyard houses even if these houses are for wealthy people. © 2015 AENSI Publisher All rights reserved. To Cite This Article: Dana K. Amro and Azizi Bahauddin, Analysis of the Interior Design Components in Traditional Courtyard Houses in Irbid, Jordan. Adv. Environ. Biol., 9(3), 117-122, 2015 INTRODUCTION In many parts of the Arab world, one can understand the various unique examples of traditional architecture, mainly houses. Despite cultural differences in each region, the design of houses has retained a communal architectural language that responds to both the common social and well-known religious needs [1]. Early Ottoman buildings in Jordan are difficult to date precisely from the 18 th century. The main features of the historic fabric are represented by the early Ottoman villages (1880–1918) [2]. The courtyard is an architectural component that suits the local culture and local society [3]. Moreover, the elements of interior space are the major entities that provide meaning to the overall space. Elements of the interior space define the space, thereby creating boundaries, and play an important part in defining the function of a space. These elements provide identity and authenticity to the interior space [4]. The best examples of 19 th century architecture for courtyard houses in Jordan can be seen in the cities of Irbid, Salt, and Madaba [3]. Interior elements in traditional courtyard houses in Jordan have not been adequately researched. To fill this gap, this study aims to identify the common interior design components in traditional courtyard houses in Jordan in contrast to those of traditional courtyard houses in old Damascus. Traditional courtyard houses are analyzed from within the city of Irbid (north of Jordan). These Ottoman-era houses have two styles: inward, which solely looks into the courtyard (such as the Arar house) and both inward and outward views (such as the Al-Nabulsi house). The analysis focuses on the most essential elements: space planning, circulation system, and the main finishing elements. Methodology: The research applies a qualitative method. Case studies are the main tool for this study, with observation, architectural documentation data, and visualizing materials used as qualitative data collection tools [5]. This study uses the following approaches: