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Article
Publication date: 2 December 2020

Donia M. Bettaieb and Reem Alsabban

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the compulsory quarantine of many of the world's inhabitants, and by staying at home, several functional developments emerged in residential…

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Abstract

Purpose

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the compulsory quarantine of many of the world's inhabitants, and by staying at home, several functional developments emerged in residential spaces in Jeddah that affected the role of the house as a contributor to individuals' quality of life under the pressures of quarantine. Given the necessity of the apartments to adapt to these emerging developments, this study explores the determinants associated with the flexibility of residential apartments by looking at the extent to which they meet the new psychological, social and cultural roles required by their users post-COVID-19.

Design/methodology/approach

The qualitative approach (1) extracted concepts related to the flexibility of housing from the available literature and (2) extrapolated the flexibility of the residential apartments from the participants' study (12 families) in different areas of Jeddah by analyzing the results of targeted interviews.

Findings

There is a gap in the participant's understanding of the quality of housing and the level of satisfaction with a housing design that differs before and after their quarantine experience. The participant's adaptation to self-quarantine was mainly through furniture distribution, and housing flexibility was less reliant on the physical transformation of the place than on the change in the inhabitants' perceptions. There was an indication that the deficiencies of flexibility in design relates to the functional, cultural and structural aspects of residential buildings.

Originality/value

This study generated suggestions to develop the foundations for flexible housing design and activate its role under the post-quarantine context according to social and cultural variables. Some proposals should become future requirements for residential apartments to benefit officials and stakeholders to develop housing flexibility.

Details

Archnet-IJAR: International Journal of Architectural Research, vol. 15 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2631-6862

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 28 April 2022

Donia M. Bettaieb and Reem F. Alsabban

Studies related to biophilic design (BD) have not clarified the user's role in applying its elements and features to improve quality of life (physical and mental health). This…

Abstract

Purpose

Studies related to biophilic design (BD) have not clarified the user's role in applying its elements and features to improve quality of life (physical and mental health). This paper aims to highlight the users' role (experience, practice, and advice) when utilising aspects of BD in the interior environment of modern houses (MH) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, as a case study.

Design/methodology/approach

A study of users' experiences was conducted through a qualitative approach by analysing semi-structured one-to-one interviews with a representative sample from Jeddah (12 heads of the family) using an adapted Biophilic Interior Design Matrix. An inductive approach was applied by extrapolating the users' role in employing BD elements in the MH's interior environment based on their experience in employing various biophilic elements.

Findings

The findings demonstrate the importance of the user's role when incorporating biophilic elements in living spaces. The levels of employment of BD elements of various kinds in the interior environment of the MH as a whole are considered high. A high percentage was observed regarding the availability of BD elements in the 40–59 years age group (87%), and a relationship was observed between housing type (villas vs apartments) and availability of BD elements. Additionally, a relationship was observed between the use of a professional designer when designing the house and the availability of biophilic elements. However, the sample did not have a grasp of several BD concepts. The application is generally made without knowing the positive impact on mental health. The user matrix was compiled as a reference that reflects the features and elements that are easily enjoyed in activating BD and enhancing the users' role in raising the level of BD in their homes. An initial classification of BD features was elaborated regarding the physical structure (PS) of a building, features regarding the user under control (UUC) and features regarding the user out of control (UOC).

Research limitations/implications

The classification was preliminarily based on PS, UUC, and UOC. Future research is required to confirm what has been communicated through advanced and in-depth research for housing analysis to confirm and enhance the user's role. This approach is a quick alternative solution to employ biophilic elements.

Originality/value

The authors focussed on the immaterial aspect of BD in interior spaces from the user's experience. BD-related studies have focussed on the physical aspect of architectural space.

Details

Open House International, vol. 48 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0168-2601

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