Architectural Integration of Prayer Space in Contemporary Muslim Residences in the Province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Abstract

Houses are important contributors to society in terms of preserving its socio-cultural and user rituals. Within the house, the users' mutual relationships and faith are protected. The teachings and practices of Islam are initiated immediately with domestic applications. When it comes to spaces, residential spaces are essential for assisting users in meeting their daily needs and lowering their mental, physical, and behavioral challenges. The primary objective of the paper is to present a thorough investigation of the design process of contemporary residential units, chalking out the user needs in terms of the availability of any religious spaces so that users can establish a connection with the faith and be able to perform obligatory prayers within a serene and responsive environment. Research methodology was combined with qualitative and quantitative approaches. An investigation into the availability of religious spaces intended for carrying out daily rituals in contemporary residential designs in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, is carried out once acquiring responses from practicing architects and various users from different parts of the province. The study's findings suggest that to present a design that is harmonious for both user needs and building design, it is essential to consider the users during the design process and conduct thorough research into the issue of documenting the actual needs of users. It also concluded that considering the current COVID-19 situation, the House needs a space specifically designated for religious rituals to assist users in achieving a high level of spirituality within its confines.  Future studies can use the study's findings as a springboard to document the various individual spaces that are needed based on the user's overall persona rather than a modular design based on current trends.