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Passive shading systems of islamic culture - examining the mashrabiya case

Matthaiou Styliani

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Summary

It is generally acknowledged that the social and climatic conditions that prevail in the East, consisted the reason for the invention of the passive shading system called “mashrabiya”. The social and environmental role of the laced mashrabiyas, remain until today an important traditional aspect of the architecture not only of the Middle East but also of the areas nearby. Nevertheless, along with the development of architecture, the social customs and traditions, the needs and the high cost of the industrialization of materials and techniques of handmade mashrabiyas, the Islamic buildings have lost or distorted this distinctive trait from their facades. The current research paper analyses the social, historic, cultural and environmental aspect of mashrabiya, examines its different typologies and suggests that this multipurpose architectural element was influenced from the primary technique of textile industry in accordance with Semper’s theory. In addition, this paper studies the ways in which the different techniques, forms and design methods influence the five main functions of mashrabiya, according to Hassan Fathy. Is it possible for these to be used in such a way that the traditional architectural element can resolve the environmental and design problems of today’s wider architecture, apart from the Islamic?

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