Arch 512Submission

Seminar I: Preparation

TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABSTRACT
I. INTRODUCTION
II. OBJECTIVE OF STUDY
III. METHODOLOGY
3.1 LITERATURE SURVEY
3.2 SITE SURVEY
3.2.1 Preliminary Survey
3.2.2 Real time Photo Survey
3.2.3 Secondary survey
3.3 Data Analysis
IV. LITERATURE REVIEW
4.1 Definition of Housing
4.2 Definition Of Culture
4.2.1 Elements of Culture
4.3 Culture and Architecture
4.3.1 Factors influenicng Culture that shape Architecture Style
4.4 Cultural Appropriateness in Architecture
V. SURVEY ANALYSIS
5.1 Changes in Culture
5.2 Designing based on Architecture
5.2.2 Cultural influence on Architecture
Case Study #1 - Shahid Minar
VI. Recommendation
VII. Conclusion
VIII. Bibliography

Spatial Relation of Cultural Issues on Housing (Impact on Architecture)

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Anjun Sharmi1, Yeasin Arafat2

1
Student ID: 16104017
2
Student ID: 16104002

E-mail: renesa.anjun@gmail.com
yarafat417@gmail.com

Abstract
The paper focuses on cultural aspects of housing. Architecture can have a diverse relation with a
particular culture and still have contextual in relation to the site while solving social-economical needs.
A strong relation ties Cultural beliefs and architecture.With a loophole on how the interactions occur
between culture and spatial housing architecture, this research is conducted to explore the impact of
cultural factors in spatial spaces for housing Designs, like houses and apartments. Aimed to explore the
Elements of Culture and how they are influencing, this article is conducted. The data was collected
through an intensive analysis of images, in-depth survey and direct observation. This research outcome
states that cultural factors and overall traditions affect housing design more than Newest Apartments that
follow contemporary styles. Culture shapes humans’ universal perspective while both culture and
universal ties the social and personal values, defining a mix of lifestyle, activities, and requirements for
the dweller. This research advises that housing designers should adapt to the cultural beliefs, practices
and privacy needs of the given people when designing. Future research should be done for an authentic
perspective on a cross-cultural, culture and subculture basis. As proposed in this article, the theory
describes relationships factors of cultures and human needs, forwarding us to understand the basic
process of spatial development in designing Housing.
Keywords: housing, Cultural aspects, Spatial Development, elements of culture, cultural appropriateness
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I.Introduction
With changing Architecture while Globalization has expanded our view on Design, designing tools,
exposure to different foreign materials, architecture has diverse choices on designing. But there are
certain rules that we follow and must follow according to geographical needs, context and culture. While
most of the needs in design can be visually prominent, cultural needs can be overseen. But we must co-
relate to the cultural needs and values of its respective society. Cultural elements conduct on spatial
relation with housing architecture. Cultural norms and rituals shape up our lifestyles

II.Objective of study
i. The first objective to understand what Culture and Housing is to each other, the spatial relation of
them.

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ii. The second objective of the study is to understand cultural appropriateness in housing.
iii. The third study is trying to understand aspects and changing culture that influences architecture

III. Methodology
Among the findings that are available through qualitative and quantitative manner, steps that are
followed are given below
3.1 LITERATURE SURVEY
This Paper follows the book “A Pattern Language” for findings of concepts of living styles and Cultures.
3.2 SITE SURVEY
In this paper, 3 sites amydst of Dhaka City - Chawkbazar, Dhanmondi Residential Area and
Mohammadpur Geneva Camp Residential Area were surveyed for understanding the culture-subculture
influence on housing within 15km radius from each other.
3.2.1 Primary survey
A survey was done among 1 house in every 2 houses with 55 participants for understanding the ideal
choice of home in Chawkbazar, Dhanmondi Residential Area and Mohammadpur Geneva Camp
dwellers.
3.2.2 Real Time Photo Survey
A real time photo survey also was done to understand how this was actually influencing the area as a
whole.
3.2.3 Secondary Survey
The relation of Culture to Housing Architecture was researched through online papers, articles for
broader and globalized outlook

IV. LITERATURE REVIEW

4.1 Definition of Housing
From Human Needs, comes Housing, which attains a diversity of meanings and symbolism. There are
five functions identified by Baluw (1994).
The most basic function is shelter from Home and Neighbourhood. Second is the facilities that the
housing and the neighborhood carry out. Domain function, the third function is one that establishes the
home as one’s own space, that ensures privacy. The fourth is the facility to connect the home base with
the outside world. And, lastly, fifth is the symbolic or cultural function of a house.
So it is more complex than just people’s way of sheltering themselves and rather an expression of their
culture, lifestyle and individuality in individuals or as a social group or community.
4.2 Definition of culture

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Culture is considered a valued guided system that is needed for rationality, meaningfulness in subjective
matters, that enhances imaginations. gaith. It is a matrix of aspects that influences society, values. It
organises the system directly or indirectly. The culture of each individual is dependent on the culture of
a group or class.
4.2.1 Elements of Culture
3 conditions are essential for the survival and prosperity of a culture. They are organic structure,
geographic analyzability and balance in religion. Religious belief, Index of attitudes toward women,
Index of political attitudes, Social relations, Kinship relations are the elements of culture.
4.3 Culture and Architecture
4.3.1 Factors influenicng Culture that shape Architecture Style
There is prominent change of culture in different areas of the cultural system. Variations are significant
from culture to culture. Natural force is a dominant force. Regionalism involves a strong connection to
its surroundings that influences culture. This shapes up indirectly, the society, its living pattern. The
people living in the North Pole (the Eskimos) have a different lifestyle, culture than people living in the
Sunny Tropical Equator. The Architecture is different.

Figure (A Pattern Language Figure 19)

From Pattern Language by Christopher ALexander, we

also learn about internal cultures among the same
nation, under the same geography due to religious
beliefs, organic structure.
Homogenous City, of same culture and belief, undifferentiated characters that may kill a variety of
lifestyles and arrest the growth of individual character.

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Heterogeneous City, where people are mixed together with differences in belief but encourages
conformity.
Ghettos, homogeneous cities that are internally and do not allow a significant variety of lifestyle.
The solution talks about Mosaic of Subculture, where the sense of shared value with invisible boundaries
of cultures is present, a place where individuals can grow.
4.4 Cultural Appropriateness in Housing
It is very important for Appropriateness of Culture in Housing. Every Nation has their own unique
culture that comes from where they live. It varies with their lifestyle, religious belief and more. There
are subcultures, ghettos ruling over this broad scale culture as well.
For example, Bali has a unique culture, with its traditional architecture. Bali is declared a living museum
by the Dutch. The average Balinese holds strong cultural values, even when it is for housing. This
influences the affordable housing to be more accurate. This has to be issued and possible. Their cultural
appropriateness needs to be integrated into housing planning and provision. Another example is
Bangladesh, which is a country of many natural disasters. This taught the people of her country to be a
survivor, fighting for Language and freedom, overcoming fears and becoming a brave Nation. This is
also reflected in their Housing and living styles, housing adapting and trying to survive amydst of
changes.

V. SURVEY ANALYSIS
From the preliminary Survey done, with 1 house of every 2 houses in 1 Km in Chawkbazar Housing,
Dhanmondi 11 and Mohammadpur Geneva Camp housing, a survey was done among 55 participants
asking about their preferences of living.

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Among the choice of living in cellular family, Joint family and Shared Living the percentage is shown
above.
Most of the answers were related to Economic Status, Religious beliefs, Cultural Diffusion, Cultural
Appropriation, Kinship as reasoning of their choice.
We can see more cellular families in Dhanmondi 12 Area as the living cost is expensive. There are also
facilities given in each apartment with indoor health care gym, pools and more. In Mohammadpur, there
are more joint families, more likely to be Ghettos. Here Men prefer to be outdoors more and women
prefer to be among same genders. We see more playgrounds here occupied with male childrens and
females are more likely indoors of coaching centres or small malls. Chawkbazar has a homogeneous
lifestyle, with a welcoming cultural environment. Roads are used for playing, transports as well as
gossiping.
5.1 Changes in Culture
There are many exterior factors that keeps influencing Culture. Society’s values are constantly changing
due to alteration, mixing up with outside Culture. The more Prominent cultures are constantly changed
and influenced by subcultures , without completely disappearing from the system . This is “Diffusion”,
more like shared values or borrowing of culture, discussed in Pattern language. This is referred to as
“Satellite Culture ''.

5.2 Changing Culture influencing Architecture

We see Cultural Diffusion influencing architecture in throughout history,
In the comparison of Dhanmondi Residential Area, which is (Dhaka) to Chawkbazar (Old Dhaka), We
see more private and Unit Apartments, isolated with privacy, where old Dhaka is more prone to Open
and multi-mixing spaces, Balconies are extended to roads for socializing where Dhanmondi has different
Image. So the change is visible in architecture through the subculture change.
Architecture style is changed through period of time with diffusion, accommodated by culture. No
architecture can be said Pure. Changing culture makes architectural interpretation harder. Foreign
cultures constantly change the particular society under investigation.
Also, Women’s Position in a culture influences architecture. We can see that Kitchen is considered to be
a women's domain in many parts of the world, so it is more private. So a space is being determined with
human concern,

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We can see that in the past, the living room, also known as Drawing room, was for drawing attention.
Family gatherings, communication was dealt with here with Landline in the same room. But now, due to
privacy concepts being changed by culture, we see more cafes, restaurants for such gatherings. So the
physical meeting place has changed

VI.Recommendation

Due to the changing cultural systems everyday, difficulty arises to the built environment. Deciding on a
tentative avenue that culture may take is quite impossible. Proper Human studies is required before
planning on projects to understand the future of any architecture. A glass building in a tropical country
may look better in the contemporary era due to choice but might be taken down due to excessive heat it
stores and people preferring more Heat proof Material. So, one can only estimate the course of society.
Architects need to respond to this development and give emphasis on Cultural Change and factors. Its is
not possible for any architects to predict the future of a culture but they can study the tentative change
that may come. Research and study of the broader cultural context can be conducted to determine
relation of regional or world cultural systems.

VII.Conclusion

With the growing Population and adopting Architecture in the world, we are losing the quality for
people below the scale. Our architecture is now exposed to diversity. While we are fighting for space
and solving with vertical architecture, vertical green spaces, we are often adopting materials to give
unique expression of architecture, this has an influence on our daily living pattern.
Cultural Elements Influences shaping up a community in Housing. They are interrelated. What is
merged and what is newly formed or revived, or what we are losing has to be accounted for future
studies and in depth understanding.
VII.Bibliography
Deconstructing architects-houses. Environmental Planning_Hanson_1998

A Pattern Language_Book_Christopher Alexander_1977

“Can we afford to neglect cultural appropriateness in providing affordable housing_Article_February

2019