Mashrabiya

The Evolution of Mashrabiya- From Veritable to Hybrid

PRESENTED BY : ALISHA HAFSA RAFI

Table Of Contents

01/ Introduction

02/ Islamic Relevance

03/ Climatic Flexibility

Table Of Contents

04/ Ornamentation

05/ Contemporary Philosophy

06/ Case studies

Introduction The elements of traditional architecture moulded according to the changing requirements of society. The incorporation of traditional elements with contemporary architecture has added new to the vocabulary of Islamic heritage. Thus, this resulted in transformation and evolution of traditional elements in present urban scenario. This paper aims to analyse the evolution of mashrabiya. Along with the transfiguration of the expression of mashrabiya with its function and form overtime.

Privacy a key feature in Islam In the way of life proposed in Islam, the segregation of women from non-Mahram was a core value.

Consecutively, the architecture of the era integrated the Islamic values into built form and exemplified the true essence of Islam. Mashrabiya as a minimalistic perforated screen, enriched with interstices provided partial division In this way, mashrabiya fulfilled the ethical issues by ensuring privacy within the neighbourhood and isolation between the genders.

Apart from division within the household, in Islamic tradition the visitor was also required to maintain a code of behaviour.

This was again achieved by mashrabiya which provided the a structural division enabling occupants to retain contact with the outside world meanwhile preserving their privacy

Climatic Flexibility

Architecture of any region is influenced a lot by the climate of the particular region. Thus, in order to maintain habitable conditions, the building structures were designed to tackle the extreme climatic conditions

Thermal Discomfort

Function of mashrabiya was based on the concept of evaporative cooling.

The initial design comprised of clay pots placed in front of a perforated screens.

This results in cooling of hot air once it comes in contact with the clay pot filled with water.

Humidity

The wooden framework of mashrabiya helps in regulating the humidity as it absorbs water from the cool air, passing through the clay pot. In this way, this passive technique works as modern-day air conditioner.

Air Flow

The design of mashrabiya involves interstices having smaller area.

Subsequent reduction in area led to an increase in pressure which simultaneously generates a wind with higher velocity.

Glare

The intricate patterns of the lattices were designed to control sun glare, without compromising airflow

Mashrabiya can be metaphorically be equated to a shady tree branch, sheltering the person below the from the sun, creating exquisite patterns of light on the plane.

Ornamentation

One of the most impressive features of mashrabiya was its lattice framework which was further enriched by the skilful craftsmanship of the era.

Altogether, these characteristics of mashrabiya has resulted in its transformation as an ornamentation element.

This element gained popularity in middle eastern countries due to the prohibition of use of figurines in Arab culture for ornamentation. This resulted in frequent use of geometric patterns which may be overlapped, interlaced and can be arabesque to form sophisticated patterns.

Current Urban Scenario The contemporary architecture showcases : 1. Excessive dependency on mechanised systems for providing thermal comfort 2. Neglect of cultural elements representing heritage of a region. thus, indicating loss of cultural values.

IMAPCT OF EXCESSIVE HVAC 3. Drastic increase in the levels of carbon dioxide emissions 4. Rapid depletion of fossil fuels which provide energy for the running of these systems 5. Global rise in temperatures.

The Contemporary Philosophy

the modern technology promotes the revival and the sustenance of the cultural values through these traditional elements. the On the other hand, the traditional practices hold solutions to regulate the balance between built and un built.

AL BAHR Towers The Al- Bahr Towers in AbuDhabi, are a 25-floor high rise tower made entirely of glass. In a place where the temperature can reach up to 120 F, the building towers made entirely of glass seemed pointless.

The “mashrabiya” on the Al Bahr Towers is one of a series of transparent shading components which open and close in response to the trajectory of the sun. Each of the two towers boasts more than 1000 individual solar protectors, which are controlled via the building’s management system, thereby creating an intelligent façade.

Opening Sequence of Units

A dynamic and reactive shading screen further diminishes the solar gain, acting like a “Mashrabiya”: a second skin which filters the light and reduces the glare.

By night, all the screens fold, allowing more of the façade to be seen… theAs the sun rises in the morning in the East, the mashrabiya across the length of that side of the building begins to close and when the sun moves round the building, the entire vertical strip of the mashrabiya moves with the sun.

DOHA Towers The Doha tower is a highrise office building in Qatar which is made entirely of glass.

The tower is covered by a lattice framework which was generated by the repetition of a single butterfly unit, rotated in different directions.

The cylindrical façade was covered with this lattice, fabricated in varying densities. The variation in density was achieved to respond to varying intensities of light in different cardinal directions. The density was varied along the façade as 25% opacity covered the north, 40% in the south and 60% on the east and west.

The result of the aluminium panels, the curtain wall and the gap in between has helped reduce the mechanised cooling loads by 20%. The building not only the play of light and provides an incredible shadow but also stands out from the monotonously developing commercial spaces by being energy efficient.