Privacy from Islamic Perspective: Comparison Between the Traditional and Modern Malay House in Malaysia

Alia Farina Ahmad Fairuz; Mohd Fairus Kholid; Mohd Hafiz Mohamad Zin; Noor Hafizah Mahamarowi; Mohd Zarif Abdul Rahim

doi:10.24191/bej.v21iSpecial Issue.2106

Authors

Alia Farina Ahmad Fairuz School of Architecture and Interior Architecture, College of Built Environment, Universiti, Teknologi MARA, 42300 Puncak Alam Campus, Selangor, Malaysia
Mohd Fairus Kholid School of Architecture and Interior Architecture, College of Built Environment, Universiti, Teknologi MARA, 42300 Puncak Alam Campus, Selangor, Malaysia
Mohd Hafiz Mohamad Zin School of Architecture and Interior Architecture, College of Built Environment, Universiti, Teknologi MARA, 42300 Puncak Alam Campus, Selangor, Malaysia
Noor Hafizah Mahamarowi Department of Media, Science and Graphics, Faculty of Information Sciences and Engineering at Management and Science University, 40100 Shah Alam, Malaysia
Mohd Zarif Abdul Rahim Technical Division of the Public-Private Partnership Unit, Prime Minister’s Department, 62200 Wilayah Persekutuan Putrajaya, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24191/bej.v21iSpecial%20Issue.2106

Keywords:

Privacy, Islamic Perspectives, Malay Culture, Home Spatial Layout

Abstract

The dwelling or housing is part of the basic needs of human life. In Islam, the name of a place as a residency house has its importance. Housing design has evolved dramatically and gradually because of mass manufacturing, technical improvement, and human thoughts, which has resulted in a new interpretation and meaning of privacy among humans. Three main issues were identified which are (1) lack of understanding of the meaning of privacy from the Islamic perspective, (2) indefinite determination of building elements and attributes affecting the privacy of a home, and (3) deficiency of privacy application from traditional to modern house context particularly the terraced house. This research aims to explore the notion of privacy from the Islamic perspective regarding the needs and implementation within the traditional and modern Malay home spatial layout established in Malaysia: traditional Malay houses and modern houses particularly the terraced house. The research is conducted through desk review involving in-depth review of literature and document analysis that correspond to an observation and cross-case synthesis of the two layouts. The findings revealed that Malays prefer to regulate their privacy through flexible attributes anchored in behavioural mechanism of religious and cultural standards, hence providing a certain degree of visual privacy, which is gradually absent in the modern housing context. In conclusion, these attributes may help to revolutionise modern terraced housing layouts in compliance with privacy values that are deemed necessary to negate neighbourhood discomfort and enhance well-being amongst the residents.

Author Biographies

Alia Farina Ahmad Fairuz , School of Architecture and Interior Architecture, College of Built Environment, Universiti, Teknologi MARA, 42300 Puncak Alam Campus, Selangor, Malaysia

Alia Farina binti Ahmad Fairuz is a Design Architect who graduated in 2023 with a degree in Architectural Studies from Universiti Teknologi MARA Malaysia. Her interest in domestic architecture design and cultural integration shaped her design work, particularly the final thesis. She can be reached through her email at aliafarina97@gmail.com

Mohd Fairus Kholid, School of Architecture and Interior Architecture, College of Built Environment, Universiti, Teknologi MARA, 42300 Puncak Alam Campus, Selangor, Malaysia

Mohd Fairus bin Kholid is a researcher and lecturer in the Studies of Architecture, School of Architecture and Interior Architecture, College of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA Malaysia. He is pursuing his doctorate research in Architectural Studies at Universiti Putra Malaysia in the area of housing design, focusing on the spatial program and typological study of terraced housing type, with wide expertise in Urban Design. He can be contacted through his email at mohdfairus86@uitm.edu.my

Mohd Hafiz Mohamad Zin, School of Architecture and Interior Architecture, College of Built Environment, Universiti, Teknologi MARA, 42300 Puncak Alam Campus, Selangor, Malaysia

Mohd Hafiz bin Mohamad Zin, PhD, is a senior lecturer in the Studies of Architecture, School of Architecture and Interior Architecture, College of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA Malaysia. His expertise is in the area of sustainable design, daylighting and housing design, and he is actively involved as a certified real estate negotiator. He published most of his work in the International Journal of Research in Engineering and Science and the International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research. He can be reached through his email at hafizzin@uitm.edu.my

Noor Hafizah Mahamarowi, Department of Media, Science and Graphics, Faculty of Information Sciences and Engineering at Management and Science University, 40100 Shah Alam, Malaysia

Noor Hafizah binti Mahamarowi, Ts., is a researcher and lecturer in the Department of Media, Science and Graphics, Faculty of Information Sciences and Engineering at Management and Science University, Malaysia. Majoring in interior design, she is currently a PhD candidate in Interior Architectural Design Education focusing on studio-based learning, critical thinking and educational technology at Universiti Putra Malaysia. She can be contacted through her email at noorhafizah_mahamarowi@msu.edu.my

Mohd Zarif Abdul Rahim, Technical Division of the Public-Private Partnership Unit, Prime Minister’s Department, 62200 Wilayah Persekutuan Putrajaya, Malaysia

Mohd Zarif bin Abdul Rahim, Ar. Ts. is a senior assistant director in the technical division of the public-private partnership unit in the prime minister’s department. His expertise is involved in the areas of project management, legislation and advocacy. He can be reached through his email at mohdzarif@ukas.gov.my

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Privacy from Islamic Perspective: Comparison Between the Traditional and Modern Malay House in Malaysia

Authors

DOI:

Keywords:

Abstract

Author Biographies

Alia Farina Ahmad Fairuz , School of Architecture and Interior Architecture, College of Built Environment, Universiti, Teknologi MARA, 42300 Puncak Alam Campus, Selangor, Malaysia

Mohd Fairus Kholid, School of Architecture and Interior Architecture, College of Built Environment, Universiti, Teknologi MARA, 42300 Puncak Alam Campus, Selangor, Malaysia

Mohd Hafiz Mohamad Zin, School of Architecture and Interior Architecture, College of Built Environment, Universiti, Teknologi MARA, 42300 Puncak Alam Campus, Selangor, Malaysia

Noor Hafizah Mahamarowi, Department of Media, Science and Graphics, Faculty of Information Sciences and Engineering at Management and Science University, 40100 Shah Alam, Malaysia

Mohd Zarif Abdul Rahim, Technical Division of the Public-Private Partnership Unit, Prime Minister’s Department, 62200 Wilayah Persekutuan Putrajaya, Malaysia

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