THE SOCIETY IMPACT ON ARCHITECTURE

	THE SOCIETY IMPACT ON ARCHITECTURE
Journal of Engineering
Article 1, Volume 17, Issue 1, 2011, Pages 18-36
Abstract
Designed spaces are usually left unobserved for academic purposes, after they have been brought to physical form, thus there is no broad knowledge base as to how the end user interacts with these spaces depending on certain functional needs and wants. It has been discovered through observation that the vast majority of designed spaces -even smaller scale ones- are very likely to endure alterations. Hence it has proven easier to follow up with and record these architectural alterations within residential projects where living spaces can be changed due to simple and less complex family decisions. Previous readings of social and sociological type literature with relation to family forms and nature have revealed that there are clear limitations to knowledge involving the effects of society on architectural changes due to the absence of detailed information concerning the impact of social phenomenon on alterations in the architecture of modern Baghdad homes during the past five decades]. Baghdad is perhaps the foremost city in Iraq that has been affected by social changes, firstly, due to it’s being the [political and economical] capital of the country and therefore the first in line to absorb changes as opposed to other governorates. Secondly, these alterations in architecture are much clearer in Baghdad due to major political and economical changes which have been witnessed during these past fifty years, changes which have in turn affected the city's social contexts, thus leading to architectural alterations. Based on the abovementioned reasons, this research aims to prove the existence of a social impact on architectural alteration by: • Clarifying indications of changes within society in general. • Clarifying indications of changes within architecture in general. • Finding the link between both, the architectural and social phenomenon and their directions. • Showing evidence of changes within Iraqi society in general and within the Iraqi family specifically. • Showing evidence of changes within Iraqi architecture in general and within Baghdad houses specifically. • Clarifying the impact of family social changes on the practical manner of living and the designed spaces of residential houses. The research begins with the exploration of previous related studies of the main variables: (Society and architecture) and the link between them. After consuming the problem and expressing its aims, the thesis heads towards the exploration of the main aspects: Society, by studying social phenomenon and architecture, by studying its contents and process of change. After the comparison of these two variables, the thesis comes to a sub-conclusion that architectural phenomenon is part of social phenomenon, which leads us to the main discussion of the research, a study of the main events that have affected Iraqi society and the nature of the Iraqi individual, focusing on changes within the Iraqi family as the main unit of society as a whole. The investigation then moves on to changes in the ideas of the Baghdad house. Points should be taken during the course of the study with regards to the elements which represent the main changes in these houses, namely: rearrangement of spaces, adding/subtracting areas, renewals and the moving. The theoretical frame work ends with a case study of 42 residential units in Baghdad and aspects of their social elements (independent factor) and the architectural changes (dependant factor), thus bringing the thesis to its conclusion. This research does not attempt to provide a description of these houses based upon a certain period of time, but rather why they have come to be the way they appear and the social aspects affecting their appearance.

Statistics Article View: 49 PDF Download: 23