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In Support of Contemporary Identity: The Modern Palestinian Home
Introduction
Many Palestinians today live in places that barely satisfy their basic needs rather than dynamic places that convey cultural meanings and respond to the various forces that define the Palestinian context. In order to reconnect people with their home and identity, it is important to understand those aspects of the Palestinian home that enhance a sense of belonging and allow people to express their identity. To do this, an examination of the various forces that shape the Palestinian home is necessary and must include the exploration of cultural, historical, and identity contexts, as well as other extrinsic and intrinsic forces specific to the Palestinian experience such as political, economic, social, historical, and ecological conditions.
These extrinsic and intrinsic forces define a distinct character for the Palestinian home which can be developed into design strategies that respond to the current modes of living and the shared values of the Palestinians. A model for translation of these design strategies into the built environment is presented in this essay for a contemporary interior of a Palestinian house – one that reinterprets the past in a modern way while responding to the current needs of the community and restoring the occupants' identity and sense of place.
The Cultural Context
The home is shaped by the beliefs and practices of a certain group of people as they create an ordering system that reflects their modes of living, cultural expressions, and social standards (Rapoport 2001). The changes and variations in the form and spatial organization of the home reflect a continuous process that encompasses cultural and social forces. The cultural context is shaped by various aspects which include the family and their behavior patterns, the social norms and ordering systems, and the social interactions within a certain group. These aspects reflect their way of life, their symbols and meanings, and their strategies for survival (Altman, Rapoport, and Wohlwill 1980).
People also apply changes to the built environment in order to create physical spaces that meet their social needs and activities. The social activities of the occupants can give meaning to the home and transform it from a basic shelter into a place that communicates cultural messages (Lawrence and Low 1990).
In Palestine, the growth of the traditional home was determined by the social needs of the occupants. This organic nature created complex and rich residential units that included a variety of forms and informal organizations. The access to residential units was experienced through a sequence of spaces that protected the privacy of the homes. The interiors of the homes were also balanced between the private and public life of the occupants. Hence, the physical attributes of the space responded to the social organizations and systems, and also revealed embedded meanings that communicated the ideals and practices of the society (Bianca 2000; Rapport 2001).
Today, modern architecture is replacing the residential micro-communities and destroying the homogeneity and balance between the cultural patterns and the physical place. The modern residences are imported models that impose new social codes and behavioral patterns that are foreign and do not relate to the surviving traditions and cultural expressions. The new “street-facing” residential blocks are simply “detached objects” that do not consider the local materials, traditions, and needs of the society (Bianca 2000).
This lack of cultural meaning in the modern homes indicates the importance of attention to the non-verbal communications and cultural expressions of the Palestinian homes, and the need to include these symbolic meanings in the built environment of Palestinians. In so doing, a bridge between the principles of the traditional home and the current living patterns of the Palestinians is created.
The Historical Context
By exploring the historical styles and artifacts one better understands the various social and political forces influencing the development of a home. In Palestine, the changes in political forces throughout the history have had a direct influence on the form and interior organization of the home. These changes can be traced back through four historical periods: the Islamic period (the Mamluk influence, 1270–1516); the late Ottoman period (the European influence, 1841–1917); the British Mandate (1920–1948); and the Israeli occupation (1948–present).
During the early Islamic period (1270–1516), the traditional Palestinian house emerged from the traditional dwelling in the Arab region. The residential architecture during that time was based upon Islamic principles that regulated the social and cultural patterns within the house. An important aspect of the traditional house was the clear distinction between the private and public domains. Transitional spaces generated a hierarchical progression from public to private rooms and from the glare to dark spaces. The courtyard acted as a “nucleus” of the house, tying together the diverse units and activities (Ragette 2003).
During the mid-19th century under Ottoman rule, the Palestinian house was influenced by changes in political and economic conditions. The European presence and the advancement in transportation had a direct impact on the architecture and design elements of the Palestinian house. A new house style called the “central hall house” emerged (Scarce 1996). The new house had guest salons inspired by European drawing rooms, and each room had a distinct function and furniture that corresponded to it. The courtyard remained a central element that allowed social interaction between members of the extended family and maintained the balance between the public and private zones of the house (Safadi 2008).
Ottoman rule was followed by the British Mandate in the early 20th century. The British authorities preserved the architectural character of the Palestinian religious cities as they recognized the unique vernacular architecture that responded to the urban and social context (Fuchs 2000). British architects continued to use local materials and local methods of construction in order to respond to the traditional and climatic conditions of the region (Fuchs 2000).
The British Mandate ended with the declaration of the Israeli state in 1948. The 1948 war resulted in the expulsion of more than 750,000 Palestinians from their homes (Farsoun 2004). The new political and geographical boundaries directly influenced the architecture of Palestinian homes by creating a high urban density on a limited land resource. Housing projects responded to the high urban density by focusing on ways to make use of the limited land while housing thousands of people. Unfortunately, many of these projects did not take into consideration such things as the climate and social boundaries. This, along with the increasing use of the automobile, changed the orientation and functional organization of the Palestinian home.
The combination of social and political changes generated an architecture that is foreign to its context and that forced itself on the land. The buildings erected in Palestine after the Israeli occupation were mostly concrete blocks that provided the residents with affordable amenities and the comforts and conveniences of modern life; however, the spontaneous and scattered urban growth on a land under dispute has created fragmented communities that lack a cohesive political, religious, family, and communal structure. These dynamic changes that continue to occur in the Palestinian context influence the current character and identity of the home.
Home and Identity
People utilize the built environment in order to communicate their identity thereby strengthening their sense of belonging. The expressions of identity and the control of interior space contribute to place attachment and enhance the sense of belonging in the space. Many of the studies that focus on place attachment emphasize the dynamic nature of the identity process, and indicate how the physical space influences “the active construction and reconstruction of self-identity” (Manzo 2003).
In Palestine the continuous interruption of the identity-formation process has generated a fragmented community that is still of constructing its identity. The occupation of the West Bank and Gaza in 1967 has changed the identity of Palestine, and the Palestinian diaspora has created a new identity for the Palestinians who share the experiences of exile, dispersion, and loss of their land and home. The loss of a home disturbs the social bonds of the family, and hence the identity of the physical space is lost as well (Cox and Holmes 2000). The economic and political instability and the fragmentation in the occupied territories have created a stateless population that is denied a clear identity and boundary for existence.
There have been attempts to overcome this social fragmentation and disruption of the Palestinian identity. For example, a recent study reveals the work of several Palestinian artists who expressed their perception of the Palestinian identity by using natural materials from the land and references to memories of the lost land (Sherwell 2006). In order to ensure the continuity of the identity-formation process, it is important to examine current expressions of identity such as this, so that the home exceeds the physical boundary and becomes a living entity that supports the construction of a dynamic Palestinian identity and culture.
Revisiting the Palestinian Home
In order to examine the different dimensions that shape the Palestinian home, it is necessary to explore the relationship between people and their place of residence on a physical, social, and cultural level. These relationships were explored through a study conducted in the city of Nablus in Palestine. The study included the observation and documentation of the physical and aesthetic characteristics of 23 homes. In addition, semi-structured interviews were conducted with the residents of these homes. The themes that emerged from the interviews responded to historical, cultural, social, and identity aspects that were explored in the interviews. The study also revealed the Palestinian home's responses to changes in the political, economic, and ecological context.
The interviews and observations conducted in the Palestinian residences identified six core values that are shaped by the extrinsic and intrinsic forces of the Palestinian context. These six core values are: (1) family, (2) social networks, (3) privacy, (4) patterns of daily life, (5) cultural symbols, and (6) the land. Through the incorporation of these core values into design strategies a distinct home that is sensitive to the Palestinian context can emerge.
Design value #1. Family
The extrinsic changes that occurred because of the Israeli occupation of Palestine disrupted the economic, cultural, and political institutions in the region, leaving the family as the only remaining structure that provides a sense of security and supports the Palestinian identity (Schulz 2003). However, the Israeli occupation changed the structure of the family, and today many extended families are broken down into nuclear families. Despite the changes that occurred in the structure of the family, the social norms continue to support the unity of the family as they emphasize its hierarchical order and strengthen ties between members of the extended family.
The observations carried out in both the historical and modern residences revealed a recurrent theme for family gatherings. In modern residences, the kitchen is a central space that encourages all members of the family to work and gather in that space. In the historical residences, the courtyard is a central space that provides a comfortable microclimate and facilitates most of the domestic and family activities.
The home needs to support the family by providing similar opportunities for interaction, and incorporating central spaces in the home can facilitate family gatherings. Furthermore, generating a sequence of clustered units around these central spaces can strengthen family bonds as they continue to expand in order to adapt to the needs of the family.
Design value #2. Social Networks
Palestinian social practices and customs are intrinsic values that aim to encourage social networks, which achieve group solidarity and reinforce Palestinian identity. These social customs include culture-specific occasions and celebrations, which entail seasonal gatherings, and receptions that strengthen the ties between members of the community. These networks became even more prevalent after the Israeli occupation as a great majority of Palestinians were displaced from their homes. During that time, the displaced Palestinians who shared similar experiences of dispersion and exile started forming their own residential communities, and each community became an extension for the family.
Providing public social spaces within the home can facilitate both formal and informal social gatherings. The responses in the interviews revealed the importance of the guest room as a social space. A spacious reception/guest room is necessary in each house, and its generous dimensions allow more furniture to be placed against the wall, enabling more people to be engaged in the same conversation.
Design value #3. Privacy
The desire for privacy and protection has remained an important theme for every home during the different historical periods. During the Islamic and Ottoman periods, the spatial organization of the home was informed by the desire to seclude women: hence public zones were associated with males, and private zones were associated with females (Safadi 2008; Scarce 1996).
It was not until the British Mandate and the Israeli occupation that women joined the labor force and took part in the “public” life of the home. This influenced the spatial organization of the home, and the public zones became associated with guests and strangers, and the private zone became associated with the entire family instead of just the women.
Social values have always prescribed the protection of the home from any undesired intrusion and aimed to achieve a balance between the private and public lives of the occupants. The design of a home needs to respond to these values, as it should include spaces that proceed gradually from public to increasingly private areas. Semi-public zones connect the private and the public, and form a buffer between the different domains. Provision of a double circulation system can help maintain the balance between private and public spaces and separate the private family circulation paths from the public areas. Interior elements such as movable partitions and screens can also control the level of privacy and provide various degrees of enclosure within the home.
Design value #4. Patterns of Daily Life
The patterns of daily life are shaped by the social and domestic activities, which take many forms and vary in duration. The spaces of the home usually adapt to the different behavioral patterns and social norms associated with each type of activity. Throughout the interviews, the occupants demonstrated the diurnal and seasonal activities that take place in the home. The diurnal activities include domestic activities that are carried out during the daytime, and social and family gatherings that usually occur after sunset. The seasonal activities include a range of formal and informal seasonal gatherings.
Ecological changes such as those in wind direction and solar radiation influence the patterns of daily life, as the distribution of the activities shifts during different times of the day and over the different seasons. In both the modern and historical residences, the occupants define certain rooms as summer and winter rooms, and they perform seasonal migrations to these rooms to achieve thermal comfort. In addition to seasonal shifts in climate, there are also diurnal changes in solar radiation and wind direction which influence the type of activities carried out in each space.
As the patterns of daily life of the family shift in time and space, the spatial organization of the home can also adapt itself to the rhythm of activities of the family and accommodate the changes that occur in the surrounding environment. The home needs to include flexible spaces that have the ability to adapt to the different seasons and events. Movable partitions and furniture enable temporary transformations of the space, and allow it to contract or expand in response to the climate, social events, and family cycles. Partly enclosed spaces enable the home to accommodate climatic changes as they facilitate the movement between the outdoor and indoor environments and enable users to adjust to the different light levels of these environments.
Design value #5. Cultural Symbols
Symbolic gestures are guided by intrinsic values shared by the Palestinians, and they communicate meanings in the space and establish environments that reinforce their shared beliefs. The occupants use these symbols to guide behavior, regulate interactions, and reinforce identity. The study conducted in Palestinian homes indicates that modern apartments in Palestine lack these symbolic gestures, which forces many of the occupants to use movable objects and other semi-fixed elements in order to convey cultural meanings and establish a character for their homes.
Cultural symbols became more significant as the Palestinians who lost their homes employed them to maintain their identity. The homes of the past became mental images that are out of reach, and people started reconstructing the details of the past to give form and structure to their shared experiences and hopes. The detailed descriptions included interior elements such as archways, courtyards, green-painted door panels, and built-in cupboards of the lost homes. The use of such elements in the home can communicate meanings and establish environments that facilitate activities in the home. The use of traditional structures and historical interior elements can facilitate the transformation to new physical environments and create a link to the past, reinforcing the sense of continuity and belonging in the home.
Design value #6. Identity and the Land
The land is a symbol of permanence and is often referred to as the ancient land. The historical buildings acquired the same sense of permanence as the domes of the traditional houses imitated the ancient surrounding hills (Amiry 1989). The building materials used in the historical residences were also extracted from the land, and their natural color blends with the ancient land. Occupants who live in modern apartments often refer to their residences as temporary structures because of the contrast they create with the land. The new apartment buildings are built from smoothly cut white limestone which contrasts with the earthy colors of the surrounding hills, and the form of these buildings does not relate to the context as it imposes itself on the ancient land (Amiry 1989).
The Israeli occupation is the main extrinsic factor that influenced the Palestinian perception of the land. The Israeli occupation separated the Palestinians from their land, and tightened the boundary around each city. The loss of the land, the confiscation of more lands, and the displacement from the land generated a shared experience that shaped the national identity for Palestinians and set them apart from the rest of the Middle East region. It is the “lack of the homeland rather than the homeland itself that shaped the Palestinian identity” (Schulz 2003). Palestinians define themselves by the land, even though the land evokes painful memories of dispersion and loss; but maintaining the connection with the land brings hope for a better future.
The home plays a significant role in reconnecting Palestinians with the land. Interplay between outdoors and indoors connects outdoor spaces with the interior of the home and provides more visual and physical access to the land. The building material itself can suggest rootedness in the land, and the use of limestone and other local materials that are extracted from the surrounding mountains creates a harmonious relationship with the land.
Towards the Future: A Model for a Contemporary Palestinian Home
The main objective of this model is to establish an interior environment that responds to the needs and life patterns of Palestinians. The model emphasizes the powerful role of the home, and reveals how the home becomes a place that maintains traditions and provides continuity for the dynamic Palestinian identity.
The model for the contemporary Palestinian home is based upon incorporating the six main design values in a historical palace located in the old city of Nablus in Palestine. The historical palace is a traditional Palestinian courtyard house that used to house three or four generations of an extended family. Choosing a historical site for this model provides an opportunity to reuse the traditional structures in a manner that is more sensitive to the modern needs of society, and it also reveals how traditional structures can support a contemporary lifestyle while still maintaining references to the historical context.
The model preserves the historical character of the palace and, at the same time, introduces new functions and spaces that meet the modern needs of the occupants. The model consists of light structures and movable partitions that subdivide the house and define new spaces. The new additions do not disturb the integrity of the palace, and provide modern solutions that respond to the family life-cycle. The six core design values that are reflected in this model – (1) family, (2) social networks, (3) privacy, (4) patterns of daily life, (5) cultural symbols, and (6) the land – are key elements, and each one of these values informs the interior environment and spatial organization of the proposed model.
Family
The design of the model focuses on the organic nature of the Palestinian home that continues to grow in order to support the growth of the family. The changes that have occurred in family structure are reflected in the spatial programming of the design, as it proposes five residences for nuclear families. These residences are represented as major nodes (see Figure 15.1) around the courtyard, and each node has the ability to evolve into a sequence of clusters that adapt to the needs of a nuclear family. Three nodes lead to three residences located on the first level, and the fourth node connects to a staircase that leads to two more residences located on the upper levels (see Figure 15.1).
The delicate balance between the private and public realms reveals itself as each nuclear family has its own individual access and independent living unit; meanwhile all the families continue to share a main courtyard and a reception hall. The courtyard remains the nucleus which ties all the families together and maintains social networks along the family line. The sharing of spaces and the compactness of the clusters strengthen the bonds between the families and provide opportunities for more family interactions.
Social Networks
The model provides special spaces that respond to the different forms of gathering that occur within the Palestinian community. Each residence includes a guest room that is intended for different social events for the members of the nuclear family. The furniture in the guest room supports the contemporary lifestyle of the family and also references elements from the past. The arrangement of the furniture and the generous size of the room encourage more human interaction and facilitate these social meetings. The more formal gatherings take place in the shared reception hall, which is intended for seasonal gatherings and celebrations shared by members of all the families (see Figure 15.2).
Privacy
The floor plan in Figure 15.1 demonstrates how the spaces of the residences proceed gradually from public to increasingly private. The semi-public spaces and the double circulation system allow the family to link or separate different activities and regulate between the different domains. Movable screens control the level of enclosure in the space and act as “veils” protecting the privacy of the family spaces when needed (see Figure 15.2). The movable screens offer flexibility, and allow the family to control the degree of privacy in these spaces.
Patterns of Daily Life
The model proposes a series of central family spaces that respond to the daily domestic cycle of the family. Each room becomes a central space that can expand or contract depending on the activity it fosters and the different times of the day. The living room, for example, is a multi-functional family space that provides intimate gathering spaces, seasonal seating areas, and study areas. The kitchen, another family space, connects to the living area and supports the rhythm of family activities.
The movable partitions establish settings that foster a variety of activities and allow different forms of enclosure in response to the patterns of daily life. The movable wood screens used in the living room enable temporary transformations of the space in response to the physical and social environments (see Figure 15.3). During the summer, the screen can open up and create a summer seating area that is connected to the main courtyard; at other times the screen can be closed, providing more enclosure for the living room, and create a more intimate family area. Wood screens are used in outdoor spaces to create semi-public zones that are partially enclosed and enable the occupants to adjust to the different light levels as they move between the outdoor and indoor environments.
Cultural Symbols
The interior elements and finishes of the proposed model represent shared values and ideals that support values and traditions of the past and are essential for the identity-creation process. The selection of materials and objects in the design was guided by the cultural meanings associated with them; the use of specific patterns, colors, and pieces of furniture can convey powerful non-verbal messages and provide a sense of continuity in the cultural process. The intricate patterns of Palestinian floor tiles and Palestinian embroidery reflect a tradition that is still alive and continues to support the Palestinian identity. The historical objects and pieces of furniture also convey strong cultural messages as these objects are not only a historical record for the family but also an extension of the family, and they maintain the family's identity and the heritage.
The Land
The proposed model emphasizes the strong relationship between the home and the land. The home model consists of wood screens, vegetation, and indigenous materials that connect the home with the land. The plants and vegetation features in the courtyard generate symbolic images associated with the land, and the mature grapevines rooted in the land suggest history and signify the strong connection with the land. The link to the land is further emphasized by the use of materials and structures that are extracted from the land; the limestone, extracted from the surrounding mountains, creates a harmonious relationship with the land and suggests rootedness.
The proposed model also focuses on integrating outdoor spaces and gardens in the interior environment by the use of movable wood screens that connect the occupants with elements of the land and transport them between domestic environments and the microclimates of the courtyard.
Overall, the model addresses the dynamic changes that have occurred in the cultural practices and identity-formation process of Palestinians. The proposed model draws from the principles of the past, and at the same time introduces new elements that did not exist before but are important for the continuity in the cultural and identity-formation process. It achieves a harmonious balance between old and new, private and public, indoor and outdoor, temporary and permanent, and the parts and the whole.
Conclusion
This essay has explored the forces that shape the home, and communicated the powerful role of the home as a living object that conveys meanings, regulates interactions, adapts to life patterns, and supports group identity. It also has revealed how cultural and historical forces can inform the design process, and create thriving and living entities that frame the home environment. The design values and proposed model emphasize the organic nature of the Palestinian home and provide a unique perspective on the dynamic life of the Palestinian family. In addition to that, study of the current Palestinian context raises awareness of significant values that have accumulated over the centuries and continue to be core values that are important for the survival of the Palestinian culture.
This issue is of great importance to Palestine, especially at a time when people are still in the process of constructing their identity and continue to live in modern residences that are imposed on them. The younger generation of Palestinians is disconnected from Palestine, and only knows Palestine through stories about the lost homeland and lost homes. In order to face modernity and make use of its advantages, it is essential to define the strong base that makes Palestine a culture, a community, and a country. When this identity becomes clear, the core elements that define the culture and reinforce the identity of Palestinians become clear as well. Technology and modern amenities are tools that can be used to satisfy current needs, yet these tools should be informed by the historical, political, and cultural forces that shape the Palestinian community.
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