The architecture of Islamic public baths of North Africa and the Middle East: an analysis of their internal spatial configurations

摘要

The analyses of the architecture of hammam buildings across a wide geographical area, the spatial configuration of their internal spaces along with their floor areas and proportions, have revealed interesting research results, indicating a common vernacular know-how across the region.The results obtained through this research suggest that within each city of each country, the hammams adopt similar design intentions and internal arrangements, based on the percentage area each building devotes to specific functions in the bathing process. The internal arrangement of spaces is governed by a 'vernacular' or overriding principle specific to that location, independent of the gross size of the hammam and its position within the city.