Dissertation_Dr Faisal Almubarak

36
quarters), is a private space designated for the private use of close family members,
maharim, men and women. The second section, is a semi-private one, designated for the
use of family members, however, upon the reception of guests or non-maharim, only men
can use that space. Women are confined to the private section with their women guests.
Occasionally, the semi-private space will be used by women guests in times of family
parties restricted to women only. The third domain is public space, predominantly male
quarters for receptions and entertainment. In Saudi Arabia, such spaces are called majlis,
and are entered directly from the street through a door or gateway vestibule, adjacent to
which is provided a bathroom area for performing ablutions and guest use. Nevertheless,
there is no strict emphasis on what sex uses what space. Depending on the number and
size of spaces in the house and the number of guests and gender, such spaces can be
shifted to attain the best use for the largest number. Guest men can be assigned to, say, the
courtyard or the roof, a typical private space in normal uses and vise versa. 45 .
The concern over privacy is also reflected in the layout of outdoor space. The design
of fenestrations in cities inhabited by a Muslim majority reflects this strict compliance of
residents with Islamic principles and guidelines. The placing of high windows in
otherwise solid facades fulfills the climate and privacy concerns. In addition to climatic
considerations, that is. to release hot air in rooms and enhance air circulation, higher
windows, sometimes higher than a camel rider, also precludes observing home dwellers by
those using the streets outside. Entrances to residential units in Muslim cities are set to
minimize passersby from seeing residents. Narrow, twisting alleyways, are laid to
maximize privacy for clusters of dwellings. Abu-Lughod (1987) commenting on gender
segregation in the Arab-Islamic City argued that the creation of turfs for males and females
is the main factor shaping the physical organization of the city brought by Islam. She
wrote" The object was not only to prevent physical contact but to protect visual privacy." 46
At major quarters, gateways are erected identifying spaces with a certain family, clan
or tribe. Such gates, in many instances, are closed at sunset, in an effort to both preserve
residents' privacy and security. In towns with various religious associations, quarters
evolved housing mostly inhabitants pertaining to a certain faith. In hot, humid coastal
cities, such as Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, court-yarded homes are replaced with extroverted,
multi story box-houses. In such areas, large windows are covered with mashrabia, a
hanging, latticed-decorated wooden structure designed to minimize glare, allow a cool
breeze to enter, and protect residents from obtrusive looks by street users. Finally, these