An Evaluation of Spatial Design of House Layout to the Traditional Houses in Shibam Hadhramout, Yemen

Abstract

Shibami house design has a significant value of its interior spaces, which for generations has drawn as primary attention by the Hadhrami master builders when they build the houses. The aim of this paper is to evaluate on how good house design is able to give residential satisfaction levels and could contribute towards habitability in Shibam. The house design is a subject dealing with house layout of its efficient space-function design which preserves the cultural needs of the community. These houses in Shibam are related to an identity of the traditional style, family structure and social customs. These houses are considered to be one of the earliest high-rise house type built in the world. Today, these buildings in Shibam are recognized as one of the heritage sites under UNESCO’s World Heritage Lists. The literature study of house design is conducted to understand the definitions of the title, which is important to identify the measurable factors for the research analysis. The study finds that diwan, dining area, bedrooms, bathrooms, corridor and storage, courtyard and balcony, and the composition of the rooms’ layout are important measurable factors under the category of this space planning and function. There are two types of the research analyses which are qualitative and quantitative analyses.  In that light, within the ambit of this study, the house design in Shibam can and does serve as a reference.