ZEMCH 2015 - International Conference Proceedings | Page 316

Figure 4: Flowers and ornamental plants are typically at the front of the house
Another general observation found in all units, is that the green areas are delineated around the
paved areas. The scattered vegetation leaves a large area of uncovered ground, which was systematically demarcated from the clean and well maintained paved area. The treatment of the
green space physical delineation is strongly connected to the personal aesthetic appreciation of
the residents. Some use wrought iron or erected low decorated walls, but the majority installed
either a brick border or more commonly a low concrete curb (Fig. 5).

Maison type isolé MI6

Figure 5: Delimitation of the green and paved spaces with decorative elements
This aesthetic interest was not limited to the green spaces border and did extend to the open
space, including addition of attractive elements such as fountains, pergolas for shade and privacy, and more commonly decorative treatment of the floor and walls. The floors are covered with
terrazzo or with the more expensive ceramic slab tiles. The walls, meanwhile, are covered in some
cases with colorful mosaics faience, a distinct sign of financial affluence. These elements are most
likely reminiscent of the traditional houses in North Africa where most of the residents grew up. A
female resident (Unit D8) resumes the general sentiment “I think that every Muslim needs a courtyard in his home. We do use a lot of water in our daily life and rituals and the courtyard is well indicated
for these functions. If we would like a bit of visual and emotional pleasure, we just have to remember
our traditional homes, where the courtyard was beautifully covered with ceramics and ornamented
with a fountain in the center. I think it was a pleasant space to live in.”

Figure 6: Treatment of the open space with an added fountain, tiles or a pergola

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ZEMCH 2015 | International Conference | Bari - Lecce, Italy