傳統合院建築的「內」與「外」，具有二層意涵：一為滿足安全性、私密性、禮制性等需求所形成的「內外」，二是藉由牆、門、窗、簾等建築構件所「隔」成的「內外」。前者，具「秩序性」與「向內性」兩種特點，並依此區分正偏、左右、內外等不同空間位序；甚且引導人趨向於內省，以尋求生命的安頓，並予人充實靜穆、有序和諧的整體感受。後者，除了可界定室內外空間，滿足禮制性等需求；利用視線或足跡之內外移動，又可形成空間深度與層次律動等美的感受。

Exploring the space connotations of "inside" and "outside" of Chinese traditional He-Yuan architecture, we could get two conclusions. 1. It could satisfy our requirements of the security, privacy and ceremony. Two characteristics the "order" and "inward" become different concepts of the space order of the "primary" and "secondary" , "left" and "right", "inside" and "outside", etc.; and then turn or guide people's thoughts to reflect on and review their own inner. The people who live in the building could get an orderly and harmonious feeling. 2. With the constituent parts of the building such as walls, doors, windows and curtains, these could define the differences between indoor and outdoor spaces and also form senses of depth and rhythm of the space by moving our sights or footsteps. In the meanwhile, these could bring feelings of deep quiet and full of substance through the spatial separation.