Housing arrangement transformation and the cultural revolution

This study links between the transformations of houses and the revolution of culture in the Gaza context. It investigates the changes in houses in Gaza starting, from traditional houses until now, in terms of the inner arrangement and openness of spaces and tries to link these changes with changes in culture. It aims to clarify the change in the inner housing design mainly and the reasons behind this. To achieve the aim, descriptive analysis for houses from different periods was used. A questionnaire to new graduates of the architectural department at the Islamic University of Gaza was used to find out their preferences in housing arrangement. Interviews with academic staff members and architects working in engineering offices as designers were essential to investigate their opinion about how and why these changes happened as experts in the field. The results show gradual transformation in house arrangement in general and a recent trend towards openness. There was a tendency towards openness among the new graduates from the architecture department. The academics and the architects working in engineering offices confirmed this tendency among their students or clients. But there is a desire by the majority to isolate the guest’s space by moveable barriers. The reasons behind this tendency diverse. The open-plan concept is considered sustainable by many with some hesitation from others.

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