Beautiful Things That We Miss in Space Syntax

Abstract

This Neo-vernacular architecture is often criticized for superfluously introducing local heritage. This mostly results from framing traditional architecture with only few prominent architectural elements. Less attention is given to other beautiful elements that are responsible for knitting all features together to produce a unique physical appearance. Concentrating on street designs, the argument of this study is that the connectivity and forms of the traditional streets encompass certain social rules and perceptional qualities, so that any changes in the street layout leads to changes in its social rules and perceptional impression. To justify this argument, a walled Arab neighborhood was examined through the case study of Sur Lawatyia, Oman. With the replacement of the curvilinear and broken streets of the case study with straight ones, a simplified street layout is obtained that on one hand, is an analogue to the neo-vernacular street layout and on the other hand is a good example to compare with the traditional neighborhood. A comparison of both street layouts is carried out through syntax analysis. The result was that the simple form is far short to represent the space syntax of the traditional street layout and its rich scenic features.

Keywords: integrated spaces, space syntax, connectivity, real given value, social rules