Gendered spaces: the impact of the cultural aspects on the spatial organisation of spaces inside the houses of Amman during the last century

This research explores the relationship between the cultural aspects and the spatial aspects when organising the spaces inside the houses, and discusses how the cultural aspects affect a broad range of matters associated with the arrangement of the spaces inside the houses of Amman, the capital of Jordan, during the last century. It shows how privacy requirements are met through precise design that led to the public/private segregation when designing the interior spaces. Studying the spatial organisation at the houses and understanding the cultural features is essential, it allows the researchers to imagine the future of these spaces. Likewise, exploring the cultural negotiations could enhance the architect's understanding of their interpretations in architectural practices, and help them to develop these practices to suit the users' needs. The paper discusses two types of houses in Amman, the urbane house and the village house. It studies the spatial arrangement of spaces within these types and the architectural treatments of the plans that reflect the Islam regulations, the tribe traditions, and the cultural context. It aims to explore the users' preference about the spatial organisation of their houses and if they still prefer the spatial segregation to the public zone and the private zone in the contemporary society of Amman. To achieve the research aims, a mixed methods approach that combines quantitative and qualitative methods are employed to enhance the creditability of the findings. The research findings shall impact on the professional practice, the design approach, and the quality of life within the houses