The Internal Layout Design of Housing: A Cultural Value Perspective

Housing is a basic human need and essential for individuals and society. An appropriate housing internal layout plays a crucial role in the sustainable urban development. Cultural sustainability reflects the ideas of how to accommodate local cultural values and norms with modern means. Previous research on housing design from an Islamic perspective has consistently concluded that traditional housing design for Muslims are affected by Islamic tenets, but that modern housing design did not adequately consider the cultural values which stem from Islamic rules. This conflict articulated in the literature, however, does not go on to provide an adequate explanation of its causes, and what constitutes appropriate internal layout from an Islamic perspective. To investigate this issue a conceptual framework is offered for housing layout from a cultural value perspective. The results pointed out that an appropriate internal layout of housing that accommodates diverse user’s needs can minimise environmentally and financially cost. Enhancing societal cultural heritage in the built environment helps raising cultural sensitivity and awareness that enriches the society.