The Impact of the Cultural Beliefs on Forming and Designing Spatial Organizations, Spaces Hierarchy, and Privacy of Detached Houses and Apartments in Jordan

Abstract

Cultural beliefs and architecture have been recognized as having a strong relationship. However, a gap in knowledge exists regarding the interaction between culture and spatial organization in domestic architecture. This research used case methods to explore the impact of cultural factors in forming and designing detached houses and apartments in Jordan. Specifically, this article aimed to explore the sociocultural impact of privacy on spatial hierarchy and spatial organization in order to ascertain sociospatial designs in Jordanian culture. The data were collected through a comprehensive analysis of plans, images, direct observation, and in-depth interviews with Jordanian household residents. The data were analyzed socially and spatially with regard to circulation, privacy, security, and spatial arrangement of indoor and outdoor spaces. This research found that cultural factors and overall traditions affect detached housing design more than apartment design in Jordan. Also, cultural beliefs and traditions in Jordan are strongly reflected in people’s values, practices, activities, and the level of privacy needed in a given home. Therefore, privacy becomes a social, religious, and personal need that Jordanian domestic architecture should accommodate. Because culture shapes humans’ worldviews, and then both culture and worldview build social and personal values to define lifestyle, clearly determine specific activities, and set residents’ requirements for the design of the components of space requisite for cultural recognition. This research recommends that housing designers should adapt to the cultural practices, beliefs, and privacy needs of a given people when designing homes. Future research is needed to replicate the study for an authentic perspective on a cross-cultural basis.

Private open space as a reflection of culture: the example of traditional courtyard houses in Nigeria

“…Through an empirical analysis, this study confirms earlier theoretical assertions that culture and space are strongly linked (Altman and Chemers, 1980; Ozaki, 2002; Al-Betawi et al. , 2020; Al Husban et al. , 2021).…”

“…Therefore, the present study extends the previous research by dismantling the concept of "culture" into different components and examines how they affect outdoor sociospatial design in the traditional houses of different ethnic groups in Nigeria. Through an empirical analysis, this study confirms earlier theoretical assertions that culture and space are strongly linked (Altman and Chemers, 1980;Ozaki, 2002;Al-Betawi et al, 2020;Al Husban et al, 2021).…”

“…Westernization does not always imply progress. Although social change is inevitable in every society, local customs and values are major criteria for the design of outdoor spaces in the built environment (Al-Homoud, 2009;Samadi, 2013;Al Thahab et al, 2014;Al-Thahab, 2020;Al Husban et al, 2021;Afon and Adebara, 2022). Social change may be evolutionary or revolutionary (Nsude, 1987).…”

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“…Design, as the organization of space [18], should be the primary consideration to address the required fire safety for buildings. The importance of spatial organization in fire safety is not restricted to a building itself but extends to the external space around it.…”

Tradition of Petang Megang and Its Influence in Changing The Siak Riverside in Pekanbaru

“…A combination of urban forms, user activities, and meanings people give to the place create a meaning place in urban space (A. S. Ekomadyo et al, 2018). Human factors such as social and cultural beliefs, traditions, and religious practices may contribute to the spatial forms of the built environment (Al Husban et al, 2021).…”