Visual Privacy and Family Intimacy: A Case Study of Malay Inhabitants Living in Two-Storey Low-Cost Terrace Housing

Abstract

The authors report on a study of visual privacy, family intimacy, and building elements of two-storey low-cost terrace housing in an urban area in Malaysia. They examine behavioural and physical regulating mechanisms used to achieve privacy among Malay Muslim inhabitants of the housing units studied. They also look at the consequences of the lack of privacy on the inhabitants over a period of time. Their findings support the premise that cultural values influence housing and that religious understanding influences mechanisms used to regulate visual privacy and intimacy.

Privacy, modesty, hospitality, and the design of Muslim homes: A literature review

“…6) (Wan Teh and Nasir, 2011;Lim, 1987). Floral engraved decorative timber walls, windows, screens, and panels follow the traditional Middle Eastern Islamic decorative style via abundant local sources (Wan Teh and Nasir, 2011;Hashim et al, 2006;Lim, 1987). This technique enables Malaysian Muslims to achieve similar Islamic design motifs via alternative economical and sustainable approaches (Wan Teh and Nasir, 2011).…”

“…Decorative floral decorative patterns or Islamic calligraphy are among the favorite wall patterns of a traditional Muslim home; floral pattern rugs are also used to express the concept and symbolism of Islamic modesty (Hashim et al, 2006). Simple furnishings are common in traditional Malay homes and reflect their lifestyle and economic situations (Lim, 1987).…”

“…Several Muslim homes utilize one of the rooms closest to living rooms as a special prayer room, which is equipped with accessible toilets for ablution or cleansing (Mortada, 2011;Omer, 2010). A traditional Malay house in Malaysia uses the spacious guest reception area (men's area) or serambi at the front of the house as an area where congregational prayers are held during special or festive occasions (Hashim et al, 2006;Lim, 1987). Traditional homes in the Middle East normally use men's majlis, the only part of the house that is directly accessible from the main entrance, to perform these prayers or salat (Mortada, 2011).…”

“…Traditional Malay houses were built using local materials from the site and constructed through the combined effort of home owners and neighbors (Wan Teh and Nasir, 2011;Hashim et al, 2006;Lim, 1987). The roof of a traditional Malay house is usually made of coconut leaves or nipah palm leaves, a type of palm tree that grows densely along the riverbanks, as shown in Fig.…”

Living Condition in the Low Cost Apartments in Malaysia: An Empirical Investigation

“…Apart from these, Salleh (2008) also carried out an important study on residential and neighborhood satisfaction of housing quality. We have a number of additional references on low-cost housing that have been conducted by Agus (2002), and Mohit et al (2010), Hashim et al (2006) in the Malaysian context.…”