University of Calgary PRISM: University of Calgary's Digital Repository Graduate Studies The Vault: Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2013-05-01 Cultural Influences in Jordanian Architectural Practices: Post 1990 Jarrar, Ola Mohammad Jarrar, O. M. (2013). Cultural Influences in Jordanian Architectural Practices: Post 1990 (Unpublished doctoral thesis). University of Calgary, Calgary, AB. doi:10.11575/PRISM/25503 http://hdl.handle.net/11023/666 doctoral thesis University of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission. Downloaded from PRISM: https://prism.ucalgary.ca UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY Cultural Influences in Jordanian Architectural Practices: Post 1990 by Ola Mohammad Jarrar A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY FACULTY OF ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN CALGARY, ALBERTA APRIL, 2013 C Ola Mohammad Jarrar 2013 ABSTRACT The purpose of this dissertation is to explore the critical elements adopted by practicing Jordanian architects in incorporating local and global cultural themes in design thinking and architectural design. A key informant ethnographic approach was used in interviewing five Jordanian architects considered as ‘experts’ in integrating local and global influences in their buildings. The themes that emerged from these expert practitioner interviews include the critical elements of critical reflection and inquiry into the historical and contemporary local and global contexts and cultural influences. The changing role of the architect and the relationship between architecture and the real estate development industry also emerges as an important theme. There has been very little research into the process of professional architectural practice and the intention of this research is to illustrate the importance of understanding design thinking in design practice in order to better inform architectural education. Since the initial and traditional examination on Jordanian architecture prior to 1990 there has been a number of emerging Jordanian architects and changes in architectural practice and design thinking that have not been documented. The results of this research are intended to engage more architectural discussion and criticism about contemporary architecture and its influences and dynamic local and global contexts. Over the last two decades globalization has affected architectural design and architectural practice and contemporary cultural ‘visions’ of urban form. This flows of communication across geographic and cultural boundaries associated with globalization presents critical challenges in design to mediate between the local and the global. This requires much more than simply the replication of stylized ‘norms’ or imitation of past highly stereotyped imagery. As a profession that helps shape the built environment, it is important to understand how recognized architects engage in the process of mediating local and global influences in ii specific social, cultural, ecological and economic contexts. The results of this ethnographic approach to understanding successful architectural practice in Jordan suggest that the rediscovery of the uniqueness of cultural meaning in place is still a critical element in enabling contemporary architectural practice that is enabling Jordanian architecture to be sensitive to the flow and continuity of context in mediating global and local forces through design. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to my supervisor Dr. Mary-Ellen Tyler for taking a significant amount of time over the years of my research to support, encourage, and inspire me. For not being only a supervisor but a true friend, thank you. I would also like to extend my gratitude to Dr. Morny Joy and Dr. David Monteyen for their assistance, inspiring discussions, and insightful reviews throughout my PhD as part of my supervisory committee. My thanks will also be extended to Dr. Geoffrey Simmins and Dr. Ruba Kana’an for their constructive comments and guidance on the final draft. I gratefully acknowledge the assistance, dedication and patience of the five architects who participated in my research. Thank you Rami Daher, Ammar Khammash, Ayman Zuaiter, Mohammad Khaled and Bilal Hammad for sharing your experience and insights into your design thinking and architectural practice experience. I cannot conclude without thanking my family: mother, brothers, sister and husband for their boundless support, encouragement, and for always being their. Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to express my thanks to those who helped me in one way or another in conducting my research and dissertation writing. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT………………………………………………………………………….... ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS………………………………………………………........ iv TABLE OF CONTENTS…………………………………………………………….... v List of Figures………………………………………………………………………...... viii List of Tables…………………………………………………………………………... x PART I: SETTING UP LIMITS: THE SCOPE OF THE RESEARCH CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION…………………………………………………. 2 1.1 Introduction………………………………………………………………….. 2 1.2 Research Significance……………………………………………………….. 4 1.2.1 Focusing on the Realm of Architectural Practice…………………….. 4 1.2.2 Focusing on Incorporating Local and Global Cultural Values……….. 7 1.2.3 Focusing on Architectural Practices in Jordan………………………... 8 1.3 Research Purpose and Objectives…………………………………………… 10 1.4 Methodological Lens………………………………………………………… 12 1.5 Research Participants………………………………………………………... 13 1.6 Overview of the Thesis Layout……………………………………………… 14 CHAPTER TWO: RESEARCH APPROACH………………………………………... 16 2.1 Overview of Research Approach……………………………………………. 16 2.2 Identifying an Appropriate Research Strategy: Ethnography……………….. 21 2.3 An Overview of Ethnographic Method……………………………………… 23 2.3.1 The Role of the Participants in Ethnographic Inquiry………………... 23 2.3.2 Identifying the Type of Inquiry: In-Depth Interview…………………. 27 2.3.3 Engagement with Informants……......................................................... 28 2.3.4 Post-Engagement: Data Analysis……................................................... 29 2.4 Validity, Reliability, and Generalizability…………………………………... 37 2.5 Reporting Findings…………………………………………………………... 39 PART II: PROVIDING THE CONTEXT CHAPTER THREE: ENDURING VALUES OF ISLAMIC CULTURE AND BELIEF SYSTEM APPLIED IN ARCHITECTURE…………………………………. 43 3.1 Introduction………………………………………………………………….. 43 3.2 Why Bother About the Past…………………………………………………. 44 3.3 Islamic Architecture…………………………………………………………. 45 3.4 Values of Islam Applied in Architecture……………………………………. 49 3.4.1 Adaptability and Continuity…………………………………………... 50 3.4.2 Diversity and Variety…………………………………………………. 52 v 3.4.3 Dynamics of the Environment and Innovation……………………….. 54 3.4.4 Unity………………………………………………………………….. 57 3.4.5 Equity…………………………………………………………………. 61 3.4.6 Modesty……………………………………………………………….. 63 3.4.7 Respect………………………………………………………………... 65 3.4.8 Privacy………………………………………………………………... 71 3.4.9 Aesthetic Appreciation………………………………………………... 74 3.5 Synopsis……………………………………………………………………... 75 CHAPTER FOUR: CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECTURAL PRACTICES IN JORDAN: A CRITICAL REVIEW…………………………………………………… 78 4.1 Introduction………………………………………………………………….. 78 4.2 Jordan: An Overview………………………………………………………... 79 4.3 Contemporary Architectural Practices………………………………………. 81 4.3.1 A Brief Account From 1920s up to 1980s……………………………. 82 4.3.2 In the Age of Globalization…………………………………………… 91 4.4 Synopsis……………………………………………………………………... 136 PART III: INCORPORATING LOCAL AND GLOBAL CULTURAL VALUES IN CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECTURAL PRACTICES IN JORDAN CHAPTER FIVE: INTERVIEWS WITH THE ARCHITECTS..................................... 141 5.1 Introduction………………………………………………………………….. 141 5.2 The Selection of Key Informants……………………………………………. 141 5.2.1 Ammar Khammash…………………………………………………… 142 5.2.2 Ayman Zuaiter………………………………………………………... 143 5.2.3 Bilal Hammad………………………………………………………… 144 5.2.4 Mohammad Khaled…………………………………………………… 145 5.2.5 Rami Daher…………………………………………………………… 145 5.3 Interview Questions…………………………………………………………. 148 5.4 Engagement………………………………………………………………….. 148 5.5 Synopsis……………………………………………………………………... 149 CHAPTER SIX: POST-ENGAGEMENT: FINDINGS……………………………….. 150 6.1 Introduction………………………………………………………………….. 150 6.2 Transcribing the Interviews…………………………………………………. 152 6.3 Generating Open Codes……………………………………………………... 153 6.4 Selecting Themes……………………………………………………………. 154 6.5 Focused Coding…………………………………………………………….... 154 6.5.1 Ammar Khammash…………………………………………………… 154 6.5.2 Ayman Zuaiter………………………………………………………... 181 6.5.3 Bilal Hammad………………………………………………………… 203 vi 6.5.4 Mohammad Khaled…………………………………………………… 214 6.5.5 Rami Daher…………………………………………………………… 228 6.6 Summary…………...………………………………………………………... 250 CHAPTER SEVEN: DISCUSSION AND CRITICAL REFLECTION………………. 251 7.1 Introduction………………………………………………………………….. 251 7.2 Discussion…………………………………………………………………… 252 7.2.1 The Participating Architects’ Responses Contrasted and Compared… 252 7.2.2 Critical Reflections…………………………………………………… 267 7.3 Recommendations for Future Research……………………………………... 270 BIBLIOGRAPHY……………………………………………………………………... 272 APPENDICES…………………………………………………………………………. 284 APPENDIX A: Literature on the Architects…………………………………….. 286 APPENDIX B: Interview Guide