My House and Coronavirus: Experiences of the Pandemic Full Lockdown

Main Article Content

Issue Vol. 5 No. 2 (2022)
Published Jul 30, 2022
Section Articles
Article downloads 417
DOI: https://doi.org/10.7454/in.v5i2.225
Submitted : Apr 6, 2022 | Accepted : Jul 9, 2022

Faredah Mohsen Al-Murahhem

Abstract

On March 2, 2020, Saudi Arabia announced the first coronavirus case. A complete lockdown started in Makkah on April 2, 2020. The holy capital of Islam has always been packed with pilgrims, but the situation was different with COVID-19. The full lockdown continued in Makkah even during the holy month of Ramadan. This study discusses the experience of full lockdown in the context of Makkah with its unique status as a holy city, with the longer period of its complete lockdown compared to other Saudi cities. The article presents a case study focusing on the interior design students at Umm al-Qura University in Makkah. The students’ experiences of the pandemic and the full curfew are discussed using descriptive and analytical methods. This article highlights the students’ challenges and difficulties regarding their emotions, specifically concerning the house and considers the functionality of its interior space. The study concludes with an evaluation of the inconveniences and discomforts of the domestic space. This article highlights some key observations, such as the lack of fresh air and natural light in some zones. Finally, the study notes several cultural issues that had a major impact and suggests some recommendations for future house planning.

Keywords: Makkah, pandemic, lockdown, curfew, COVID-19, experiences

Article Details

How to Cite
Al-Murahhem, F. M. (2022). My House and Coronavirus: Experiences of the Pandemic Full Lockdown. Interiority, 5(2), 237–258. https://doi.org/10.7454/in.v5i2.225
Author Biography

Faredah Mohsen Al-Murahhem, Umm Al-Qura University, Saudi Arabia

Faredah Mohsen Al-Murahhem is an Associate Professor at Umm Al-Qura University, offering a comprehensive art and design teaching and research experience. Her master thesis was awarded and published in 2000. She is currently an advisory board member of the Journal Art, Design & Communication in Higher Education and a reviewer with Common Ground Publishing. She is a programme reviewer in some Saudi universities, and an external examiner/juror in Saudi Arabia and abroad. Al-Murahhem is passionate about heritage, culture and architecture, and educating the current generation about the value of identity and cultural heritage. Al-Murahhem served as the Vice Dean of the College of Engineering at Prince Mugrin University, and the Vice Dean of Academic Development and Entrepreneurship in the College of Design and was the Deputy director for Scholarships & inter-University relations at Umm Al-Qura University. She is a watercolourist and an active member in institutional boards within Saudi Arabia and abroad.

References

Al-Murahhem, F. M. (2021). Makkah: City of self-identity and inspiration. Art, Design & Communication in Higher Education, 20(1), 7–28. https://doi.org/10.1386/adch_00027_1

Bahadursingh, N. (n.d.a). The new normal? AD-APT modifies your apartment for any activity. Architizer. Retrieved April 17, 2021, from https://architizer.com/blog/inspiration/stories/ad-apt-woods-bagot/

Bahadursingh, N. (n.d.b). 6 ways COVID-19 will change home design. Architizer. Retrieved April 17, 2021, from https://architizer.com/blog/inspiration/industry/covid-19-home-design/

Bhattacharjee, S. (2020). Breaking down indoor environmental quality (IEQ) and how to improve it. In R. Nieminen & J. Penny (Eds.), Wellness: The future of building design, construction and operations (pp. 27–29). Buildings: interiors + sources.

Caan, S. (2011). Rethinking design and interiors: Human beings in the built environment. Laurence King Publishing.

Estudio Guto Requena. (2021, June 6). Neurodiversity and biophilia: The future of the workspace in the post-pandemic era. Archdaily. https://www.archdaily.com/962650/neurodiversity-and-biophilia-the-future-of-the-workspace-in-the-post-pandemic-era

Gillis, K. (2020). From design quarterly: Building design as a tool for wellness. In R. Nieminen & J. Penny (Eds.), Wellness: The future of building design, construction and operations (pp. 35–37). Buildings: interiors + sources.

Marco, E., Williams, K., & Oliveira, S. (2020). Too much 'stuff' and the wrong space: A conceptual framework of material possessions. Interiority, 3(2), 219–242. https://doi.org/10.7454/in.v3i2.78

Ministry of Finance. (2020). The precautionary measures taken by the Kingdom. https://www.mof.gov.sa/Documents/الاجراءات.pdf

Myers, I. (2020, November 2). O2 design atelier imagines a 'post-pandemic city of tomorrow' elevated above nature. Designboom. https://www.designboom.com/architecture/o2-design-atelier-the-post-pandemic-city-of-tomorrow-11-02-2020/

Overstreet, K. (2021, January 3). What makes a home and how do we plan for its future? Archdaily. https://www.archdaily.com/954196/what-makes-a-home-and-how-do-we-plan-for-its-future

Paine, J., & Baltimore, S. (2020). Design for wellness beyond today. In R. Nieminen & J. Penny (Eds.), Wellness: The future of building design, construction and operations (pp. 47–50). Buildings: interiors + sources.

Riyad As-Salihin. (n.d.). SUNNAH.COM. Retrieved July 24, 2021, from https://sunnah.com/riyadussalihin:705

Ruth, J. (2020, August 12). Designing for equity and well-being in the COVID-19 era. Metropolis Magazine. https://metropolismag.com/viewpoints/design-equity-wellbeing-healthy-materials/

Saudi Press Agency. (2020, April 02). The Ministry of Interior Report. https://www.spa.gov.sa/2054166

Singh, S. (n.d.). How can architecture help reduce the risk of further spreading COVID-19, for future constructions? Rethinking the Future. Retrieved April 12, 2021, from https://www.re-thinkingthefuture.com/covid-and-architecture/a2897-how-can-architecture-help-reduce-the-risk-of-further-spreading-covid-19-for-future-constructions/

Stone, L. (2020, April 6). 5 Ways architects and designers are responding to COVID-19. Metropolis Magazine. https://metropolismag.com/viewpoints/5-ways-architects-and-designers-are-responding-to-covid-19/

The purpose of reflection: Why is reflection important in the writing classroom? (n.d.). Purdue University. Retrieved October 20, 2021, from https://www.cla.purdue.edu/academic/english/icap/assessment/purpose.html

Wigglesworth, S. (2020, June 19). The design of homes post-covid. DesignCrucial. http://www.designcurial.com/news/the-design-of-homes-post-covid-7981176/

Yeung, O., & Johnston, K. (2020). Healthy built environment for healthy people. In R. Nieminen & J. Penny (Eds.), Wellness: The future of building design, construction and operations (pp. 4–7). Buildings: interiors + sources.

Zilli, E. (2020, April 13). Life after COVID-19: 7 new ways we will stay at home once the pandemic wil be over. ArchiPanic. https://www.archipanic.com/life-after-covid-19/