Window Changes and Sufficient Daylight for Female Well-Being in Jeddah City - Research Proposal Example

Window Changes and sufficient daylight for female well-being in Jeddah city Name: Tutor: Course: Date: Abstract The aim of this study will be to examine window design in traditional and modern architecture in Jeddah city. The adoption of western lifestyles and architecture has diminished the traditional Jeddah architecture and culture. The needs of modern Muslim women have also been obliterated by the current changes in technology and architecture. Window design in modern buildings in Jeddah City provide sufficient daylight in interior spaces but does not integrate the daylighting needs of women as reflected in the traditional Jeddah architecture, the roshan. Several studies have underscored the changes in building architecture but narrow studies have delved on the contemporary window architecture in Jeddah have prompted a study on suitable window designs for contemporary Jeddah woman. This study will assess the factors that led to changes of window designs from vernacular to modern architecture in Jeddah. It will analyze window designs and their control of natural light in modern buildings in Jeddah city. Lastly, the study will develop window designs and arrangement suitable for female users in Jeddah city. The study will be based on historical research design which will obtain various secondary data and some primary data like pictures and maps. Surveying methodology and 3D modeling will be adopted to create images on desired roshans that involves the cultural requirements of women in Jeddah. Specifically, Dense Stereo Matching (DSM) will be used as semi-automated solutions adopted from the image based solutions. The study will help architects and house owners in demystifying Jeddah architecture and help integrate the traditional roshan into the modern gendered Jeddah architecture. Key Words: roshan, Dense Stereo Matching (DSM), 3D modeling, Daylighting, Homogenous, Heterogenous. Table of Contents 1.0 Introduction 6 1.1 Background of the study 6 1.2 Statement of the problem 7 1.3 Purpose of the study 7 1.4 Objectives 8 2.0 Literature Review 8 2.1 Building architecture 8 Figure 1: Design and functional consideration of daylighting system 9 Figure 2: Heterogenous and homogenous window design 11 2.2 Traditional or vernacular Window design in Jeddah 11 Figure 3: Vernacular Jeddah windows (roshans) 11 2.3 Modern window design in Jeddah 12 Figure 4: Modern Jeddah windows 12 2.4 Conceptual framework 14 Figure 5: Study conceptual framework 14 3.0 Research methodology 14 4.0 Timetable 15 Table 1: Project timetable 15 5.0 Conclusion 15 Reference list 16 Kazimee, B 2012, Heritage and Sustainability in the Islamic Built Environment. WIT Press. 17 Louis, J Ap, L, Idic, A, IDA 2008, Environmentally responsible design: green and sustainable Canada. New York: Johan Willey & Sons Publishing. 18 List of Figures 1.0 Introduction 6 1.1 Background of the study 6 1.2 Statement of the problem 7 1.3 Purpose of the study 7 1.4 Objectives 8 2.0 Literature Review 8 2.1 Building architecture 8 Figure 1: Design and functional consideration of daylighting system 9 Figure 2: Heterogenous and homogenous window design 11 2.2 Traditional or vernacular Window design in Jeddah 11 Figure 3: Vernacular Jeddah windows (roshans) 11 2.3 Modern window design in Jeddah 12 Figure 4: Modern Jeddah windows 12 2.4 Conceptual framework 14 Figure 5: Study conceptual framework 14 3.0 Research methodology 14 4.0 Timetable 15 Table 1: Project timetable 15 5.0 Conclusion 15 Reference list 16 Kazimee, B 2012, Heritage and Sustainability in the Islamic Built Environment. WIT Press. 17 Louis, J Ap, L, Idic, A, IDA 2008, Environmentally responsible design: green and sustainable Canada. New York: Johan Willey & Sons Publishing. 18 List of Tables 1.0 Introduction 6 1.1 Background of the study 6 1.2 Statement of the problem 7 1.3 Purpose of the study 7 1.4 Objectives 8 2.0 Literature Review 8 2.1 Building architecture 8 Figure 1: Design and functional consideration of daylighting system 9 Figure 2: Heterogenous and homogenous window design 11 2.2 Traditional or vernacular Window design in Jeddah 11 Figure 3: Vernacular Jeddah windows (roshans) 11 2.3 Modern window design in Jeddah 12 Figure 4: Modern Jeddah windows 12 2.4 Conceptual framework 14 Figure 5: Study conceptual framework 14 3.0 Research methodology 14 4.0 Timetable 15 Table 1: Project timetable 15 5.0 Conclusion 15 Reference list 16 Kazimee, B 2012, Heritage and Sustainability in the Islamic Built Environment. WIT Press. 17 Louis, J Ap, L, Idic, A, IDA 2008, Environmentally responsible design: green and sustainable Canada. New York: Johan Willey & Sons Publishing. 18 1.0 Introduction 1.1 Background of the study Windows are not only openings to let air and light get into a room, but also places for people to resolve their stress , maintain their relationship with neighbors and communicate with nature (Abu-zaid, 2013). While maintaining its privacy, the inside can stretch to the outside. Hayman (2003) asserts that during summer in cold climates, windows are the focal point at the edge of the room that allows access to some sun. On the other hand in hot climates, it allows some air (Fathy, 1986). “Windows are essential in determining the quality of space but not if the outdoor environment is unbearable, insignificant and ugly to people” (El-Shorbagy, 2010, p. 28). Windows may not enjoy the same significance if the home environment is confined to the home interior (Borisuit, 2014). According to Hilal and Dahlan (2008), windows of houses in traditional Jeddah played an essential climatic, social and symbolic role. A great exterior and interior element was the roshan which was a window letting in air and light as well as a piece of furniture for sitting and sleeping. It was also a platform for women to communicate with alleys and neighbors. It represented the identity of the household. In the recent past, some Saudi architects have complained on the loss of the beautiful roshan featured in the traditional architecture. The blame is on modern architectural designs for the loss of identity and other traditional forms of designs (Evans & McCoy, 1998). The adoption of the gridiron street system may have diminished the role of windows in Jeddah, but a major cause of the diminished windows significance in Saudi Arabia is air conditioning which is a necessity in the city and the country (Kazimee, 2012). Mahmud (2009) argues that it is unlikely that people will abandon their air-conditioners to reclaim the symbolic position of windows. Air conditioning emergence fulfilled the climatic function with more efficiency, while the telephone enhanced communication with neighbours. Modern building facades fulfilled the symbolic function while maintaining privacy (Al‐Kodmany, 1999). Just as architects value things, people may not necessarily be thinking in their direction. Saudi Arabian architects blame the source of identity disruption to Western designs even though people have expressed their social status by copying Western lifestyles. In window design, roshans projection allowed entry of air to the home interiors; family members could watch exterior activities and women maintained their relationships (Kamal, 2014). However, modern window designs have sliding aluminum windows made of two aluminum frames to hold clear glass sheets (Mubarak, 2007). Frosted glass is rarely used despite its significance in maintaining privacy. The privacy role was taken over by use of curtains. The emphasis of this study will be on the dynamics of windows architecture in Jeddah city that embraces the roles of women. 1.2 Statement of the problem Western design ideas have been criticized by Arabian architects for the loss of local identity in the built environment (Alharbi, 1989). Despite this argument being intensively and widely discussed, changes in design of Jeddah city windows is inevitable based on people’s expression of their identity and the influence of technological changes such as air-conditioning in the built environment (Khafaji, 1987). Diminished role of roshans, which were important in the traditional Jeddah architectural pieces, could be attributed to change in meaning and utility (Adas, 2013). Various researchers have underscored the convenience of air-conditioning which abolished the need for large openings (Dahlan & Mohamed, 2010). However, there are limited studies into the design of modern windows that still retains the traditional role of roshans of providing adequate room daylight as well as maintaining the relationships of women as it was in the traditional Jeddah (Al Surf, 2012). This study will examine the factors that led to the changes in window design in controlling daylight and relationship of women in Jeddah. It will also develop some of the modern window designs that will incorporate the aspects of daylight and human relationships. 1.3 Purpose of the study The aim of this proposed study is to examine window design in traditional and modern architecture in Jeddah city. The study will focus deeply in window design in modern buildings in Jeddah City provide sufficient daylight in interior spaces. 1.4 Objectives 1. To assess the factors that led to changes of window designs from vernacular to modern architecture in Jeddah. 2. To analyze window designs and their control of natural light in modern buildings in Jeddah city. 3. To develop window designs and arrangement suitable for female users in Jeddah city 1.5 Research questions 1. What factors that led to changes in window designs from vernacular to modern architecture in Jeddah city? 2. How are current window designs and their control of natural light in modern buildings in Jeddah city? 3. Which window designs and arrangement are suitable for female users in Jeddah city? 2.0 Literature Review 2.1 Building architecture One of the main functions of windows is daylighting (Shikder et al. 2012). Daylighting is linked to solar gain inseparably. Distribution of daylight to a space is determined by the design of a window (Roulet et al. 2006). In many cases, windows may perform satisfactorily well when chosen solely for their architectural design features (Krieger & Higgins, 2002). “For buildings and dwellings with minimal visual requirements is not usually appropriate to include an application of advanced daylighting systems. In some design cases, there is a balanced solar gain from daylighting and heat gain to reduce cooling loads” (Alitany et al. 2013, p.7). Solar gains from facades and windows can be controlled using direct gain approach or more advanced techniques. Boubekri (2008) argues that in direct gain, a shading system controls the thermal and visual environments simultaneously. Advanced systems such as double-skin facades and collector windows over the visual and thermal environments allow some degree of separate control (Parise & Martirano, 2013). From the figure 1 below, the concept of passive solar architecture involves solar gains that control application and orientation of shading systems based on the position of the sun. Source: (IEA, 2011, p.15) Figure 1: Design and functional consideration of daylighting system Traditional building architects had a difficulty in artificial control of the quality of the interior environment (Veitch et al. 2008). The comfort of dwellings and the interior environment was highly dependent on external conditions for lighting, artificial heating and cooling households (Gou et al. 2013). In that sense, windows were essential platforms to selectively use and mitigate the features of external environment (Lau, 2012). For example, vernacular architectures in the Italian Naples used external shutters termed as ‘napoletana’ which were windows used in summer to ventilate interior spaces. They screened the direct component of solar radiation while ensuring safety and privacy. The houses featured traditional style of small ventilator openings on high wall levels and small windows on their external alleyway walls for reasons of privacy (Tinetti et al. 1988). Moreover, the traditional windows had both shutters and frame design providing occupants with adequate daylight of interior spaces, adaptive control of external noise and ventilation (Knudstrup, 2009). In the present, the features have been lost to ‘persiana’, the contemporary roller shutters (Tzoulas et al. 2007). In the United Kingdom, modern design of windows is based on direction of the compass (Smith, 2000). East facing windows offers a warm and bright light where morning sunshine creates long shadows hence losing direct sun light later in the day. Best light qualities and warm light constantly changing throughout the day is found in the south-facing windows (Winterbottom & Wilkins, 2009). Daylight-redirecting systems for heavily obstructed facades can improve the interior spaces distribution of light (Louis et al. 2009). For this purpose, glass prisms have been in use for more than a hundred years. Srinivasan et al. (2003) suggests that in the contemporary age, a range of systems include anidolic elements, laser cut panels and holographic elements. Right glazing selection is an essential building’s daylighting strategy (Hee et al. 2013). Daylight can be increased and cooling loads decreased when new glass and daylighting systems are combined especially on redirection of light, glare control and solar shading. (i) Heterogenous window design (ii) Homogenous window design Source: (IEA, 2011, p.11) Figure 2: Heterogenous and homogenous window design In figure 2 above, designers provide uniform lighting levels based on the homogeneity of lighting requirements. Specific functions are allotted to specific areas under heterogeneous design (Veitch, 2005). 2.2 Traditional or vernacular Window design in Jeddah Jeddah also Al-Balad village is one of the historical cities located in eastern shore of the Red Sea (Municipality of Jeddah, 2005). It is also one of the most important historical sites in Hejaz region in Saudi Arabia with multi-story houses built of plaster and coral stone. They are adorned with projected latticework windows and teak doorways that typify the architecture in the Red Sea ports until the 19th century (Akbar, 2000). Source: (Contaldo, 2011, p. 3) Figure 3: Vernacular Jeddah windows (roshans) In figure 3 above, the design of the windows was influenced by climate which was hot and humid. Jeddah’s traditional buildings lacked system of courtyards though large openings were the main means of cooling home interiors (Veitch & Newsham, 1998). The windows were of two types; shubbak and roshan. Shubbak was a wooden casement window playing the role of a conventional window (Alitany et al. 2013). The large with had reasonable space for sitting while letting in air and light. The ground floor had steel bars to provide security. Roshans are outside projecting shubbaks (Akbar, 2000). To hold the sharbat, circular holes were cut out of the wood to enable women look down at the walkways (Mubarak, 2007). Sharbat could stand on timbers between the mesh and the roshan, if holes were lacking. In this case, women used to peep between the timbers through the little gaps. 2.3 Modern window design in Jeddah Saudi society has experienced many social changes occurred in due to significant increase of per capita income and governmental projects (Ragette, 2003). As people travelled abroad on vacation, they got influenced by Western lifestyles and different home environments (Akbar, 2000). Contemporary householders are furnishing their rooms with air-conditioners. Air conditioners control room climate and reduces dust getting into the house (Sidawi, 2008). Source: (Contaldo, 2011, p. 3) Figure 4: Modern Jeddah windows As shown in figure 4 above, the role of windows has greatly diminished, only confined to letting in the daylight. “An inexpensive and impractical sliding aluminum window replaced the practical window made of framed frosted glass and slats” (Akbar, 2000, p. 18). Two aluminum frames holding clear sheets of glass represents the modern window type in Jeddah (Taleb & Sharples, 2011). Frosted glass was replaced by curtains to maintain privacy. Lack of use and maintenance despite ease of sliding led to window rails of the filling with dust (Lee & Maheswaran, 2011). On the contrary, Schöneberg (2008) argues that the new windows are difficult to open and lack light control unlike the wooden shutters type or the roshan. In this case, the role of windows in regulating the amount of daylight into the interiors has diminished greatly. 2.4 Conceptual framework Figure 5: Study conceptual framework From the figure 5 above, the various aspects highlighted in modern Jeddah windows is space quality and changes in window design. The core elements are privacy, daylight and concerns of women (SaudiSacta, 2014). This means that changes in design are likely to influence the amount of daylight while space quality will affect the privacy of inhabitants mainly women. 3.0 Research methodology This study will be based on historical research design. The study will utilize secondary data and primary sources like archives, non-textual information such as pictures and maps, and official records on traditional and modern architecture in Jeddah city. Historical records provide contextual background and can be replicated on different research problems (Gall, 2007). This will help consider the factors that contribute to changes on window changes from vernacular to modern windows in Jeddah city. The source of data and images on Jeddah architecture will be books, journals and articles. Web search engines and library resources will provide means of obtaining the data on historical buildings in Jeddah. Surveying methodology to develop images will be based on 3D modeling techniques and image-based approaches (Remondino et al. 2006). It will also extol variety and complexity of the roshan element. Surveying and modeling procedures will be divided into three scales; main structural parts, complex detailed sub-components and interpretation, analysis and parts combination using 3D modeling software such as Rhinoceros®. 4.0 Timetable The research plan is organized in three full time years as shown in the table below. Table 1: Project timetable Year Activities 1 Literature review and analysis. The paper will obtain adequate literature on vernacular and modern architecture in Jeddah city in terms of daylight and window design. 2 Analysis and comparison of different window designs between U.K and Saudi Arabia. The study will review conference papers on various modern window designs in different regions and their impact on interior space users. 3 Design a governmental building in Jeddah city according to the results achieved from the two years study. Design a female building in Jeddah city with accurate window design and arrangement to provide comfort that provide comfort and well-being for women in interior space. 5.0 Conclusion The study will examine the effect of Roshan window on interior space design and space users, and the effect of modern glass window design on interior space and space users in terms of daylight and culture. It will also attempt to study will find differences and similarity of window designs in different locations. 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