Visual privacy from islamic perspective of malay family living in terrace housing in Selangor

Abstract

This thesis focuses on the issue of visual privacy of a house from the Islamic perspective. Notably, the review of literature indicates that there is a lack of visual privacy in the design of terrace housing in Malaysia, especially for Malay families who have particular regulations and principles governing the modesty of self, family and house. An incongruence between religious and cultural needs, and house design pertaining to visual privacy, may lead to negative changes in lifestyle and discomfort- such as neglect of religious requirements and the sacrifice of freedom of visual access and openness. Despite the importance, previous studies did not specifically define Muslim Visual Privacy (MVP) from the perspective of Malay families, nor did they elaborate on the characteristics of the physical elements affecting MVP in terrace housing designs. Accordingly, findings for this thesis have been based on a mixed-method approach, i.e. a combination of quantitative research method- through a survey that has been administered through a questionnaire, and qualitative methods such as an in-depth interview, observation and space-syntax analysis. 441 respondents have been involved in the questionnaire survey and 10 respondents for the in-depth interview, both have been chosen from the two locations of study which are Bandar Baru Bangi and Bandar Seri Putra, in the state of Selangor. The findings indicate that the protection of awrat and security are the most important factors affecting visual privacy among the Malays who are living in terrace housing. However, in the process of achieving optimum visual privacy, hospitality to guests and community intimacy, two values integral in Islamic teaching and Malay culture have been compromised due to the constraint of the terrace housing environment. Respondents have raised issues regarding the porch area of the house and how activities such as hanging out the laundry to dry, washing the car and standing in the doorway of the main entrance are affected by the lack of visual privacy. The study has also highlighted issues regarding the lack of MVP in the interior and exterior spaces of terrace housing, which result in visual intrusion on the family and neighbouring houses. This implies that the design of terrace housing lacked sensitivity to MVP requirements. Environmental and behavioural mechanisms are important in maintaining MVP of the respondents, where Malay families are found to employ a varied combination of behavioural and environmental mechanisms based on the needs of the family. Housing modification trends that have been made by respondents focus on functionality and practicality, as a majority of them have prioritised modifications to their wet kitchen area, despite being the least satisfied with the external elements of the house (gate and side boundary wall), in terms of providing MVP for the family. Therefore, this study suggests that more consideration and care need to be given in designing the physical elements and external areas of a terrace house, due to the importance in protecting the visual privacy for the Malay family. Furthermore, findings from this study have suggested a path for further studies that necessitates a more flexible house-modification system which allows for the adaptations of terrace housing designs in Malaysia.