Saya Jamal Rashid; Faris Ali Mustafa; Faten Radhwan Yaseen
Abstract
From ancient Greece till the present, the golden ratio has been considered one of the most significant criteria of beauty in art and architecture. Architectural forms are part of the visual language that is bound by the rules of geometry and proportion. This study aims to identify the extent to which ...
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From ancient Greece till the present, the golden ratio has been considered one of the most significant criteria of beauty in art and architecture. Architectural forms are part of the visual language that is bound by the rules of geometry and proportion. This study aims to identify the extent to which contemporary mosques in the city of Erbil utilize the golden ratio in the aesthetics of their facades. The research attempts to answer the question: was the golden ratio implemented in designing the facade of contemporary mosques in Erbil? The study adopted a mixed quantitative and qualitative analysis method. To achieve the study's aim and answer its questions, six mosques built in the last decade in Erbil were selected. Qualitatively, survey and documentation followed. Quantitatively, Phi matrix software, AutoCAD, and graphic software were applied as a mathematical approach. The study concluded that only one case used the golden ratio in the design of its façade by 100%, while it did not exceed 75% in most other mosques. The study draws the attention of designers and architects in the field of mosque architecture to the adoption of the golden ratio in the designs of mosque facades because of its role in achieving the aesthetic aspect.
Arazu Askandar Hamad; Husein Ali Husein
Abstract
Spatial adaptability is the ability of floor plans to adapt to families' changing needs and requirements over time. Apartment floor plans that are not designed according to the user's preferences cannot meet his or her changing needs over time. So, an adaptable apartment floor plan is considered a desirable ...
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Spatial adaptability is the ability of floor plans to adapt to families' changing needs and requirements over time. Apartment floor plans that are not designed according to the user's preferences cannot meet his or her changing needs over time. So, an adaptable apartment floor plan is considered a desirable alternative that can provide various solutions to households' changing spatial needs in the present and the future. Future low-income apartment designs will be more effective if users select the most appropriate types of floor plan adaptability for their needs and culture. The aim of this study is to identify user preferences for the types of adaptability of floor plans and assess the adaptability capacity of low-income apartment floor plans based on those preferences. Based on the research criteria, six low-income multi-family residential buildings in Erbil City were chosen as case studies. The questionnaire was conducted through face-to-face interviews with 363 participants. The study used mixed methodologies, including a quantitative questionnaire survey and a qualitative case study analysis method, to answer the research questions. This study concluded that users did not prefer all the types of spatial adaptability; they preferred the ones that most suited their needs, lifestyles, and preferences. Low-income apartment floor plans didn’t support user preferences, and residents of low-income apartments in Erbil City could not adapt their apartment floor plans according to their preferences. According to the findings of this study, there should be a greater emphasis on the future design of low-income apartment floor plans in order to meet the changing space needs and requirements of families. This study can help architects and policymakers improve housing quality in Erbil City by considering user preferences for space adaptation when designing low-income apartment floor plans in the future.