Integration of Qamariyah in modern architecture in Yemen: a systematic literature review

For over 4,000 years, Qamariyah, traditional stained-glass windows, have been a defining feature of Yemeni architecture. It strikes a balance between aesthetics and privacy while symbolizing cultural identity. However, the rapid modernization and adoption of industrial materials have led to its decline in contemporary architecture. This study provides a systematic literature review of peer-reviewed journal articles published between 2004 and 2024, retrieved from Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. A total of 10 full-text articles were analyzed using qualitative content descriptive analysis into three major themes: (1) concept and definition of Qamariyah and its role in Yemeni architecture, (2) approaches to integrating Qamariyah into Yemeni modern architecture, and (3) key considerations of Qamariyah. The findings reveal that the Qamariyah is primarily valued for seven key considerations: privacy, cultural and social identity, symbolic meaning, use of local materials, economic local design, and contributing to sustainability. Despite its recognized value for enhancing cultural continuity and environmental performance in modern buildings, extant literature lacks empirical studies on its economic feasibility and construction techniques. This review concludes that the successful integration of Qamariyah into contemporary design necessitates a hybrid approach, innovatively combining traditional considerations and modern design techniques to bridge Yemen’s rich architectural heritage with future sustainable development.

Text 125840.pdf - Published Version Download (3MB) Official URL or Download Paper: https://frsb.upm.edu.my/upload/dokumen/20251103115...

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