Dima Daif - Master of Architecture, Department of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning,Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

Today, the elimination of natural environment, which is known as courtyards, inside most houseshas led the open spaces in house design to embrace new meanings. Hence, it is necessary to reviewand pay special attention to the meanings in open spaces design of these complexes as collectiveyards, as the environment cannot be discussed without understanding its meaning. There is a nonverbalcommunication with humans that derives messages through the system of environmentalmeanings. In general, the meaning is divided into three levels depicted as macro level, mezzo leveland micro level. Substantial variety exists among people in understanding macro and mezzo levelof meanings; however, in terms of function (micro level of meaning) there is not much differencebetween users' expectations of space and people receive its stimuli based on mental backgroundand expectations of open space. Therefore, the present paper seeks to study the micro level ofmeaning (functional meaning) to depict functional meaning criteria in open spaces of residentialcomplex design. In order to answer this question regarding open spaces of residential complexes,several variable factors in the functional systems affecting meaning (such as spatial hierarchy,accessibility, legibility, etc.) have been studied and it has been concluded that functional meaninghas high potentials on open spaces design. Hence, designers must take the users spcae requirementsinto account and then provide them a meaningful space that meets their mental expectations, inorder to ease the non-verbal connection of the space and consequently meliorate their behavioralreactions.

Meaning, Levels of meaning, Residential complex, Open space