Transition Habitats

Abstract

In (South) Asian countries such as Bangladesh, spaces that ac¬centuate transition have been playing a far more crucial role in architecture than in most other cultures (Singh, 2015). This inter¬mediate or third space, holds a transitional quality and is therefore in architecture called the transition space. It’s defined by the rela¬tionship of the extreme zones it’s connecting, like private versus public or internal versus external zones. Since these in-between spaces are so frequently passed through, humans are often not even conscious of the themes it has been signifying for centu¬ries: welcomeness, auspiciousness and prominence.

The transition space is full of social and cultural meanings, shaping people’s environment and everyday behaviour. For instance, in rural parts of the predominantly Islamic country of Bangladesh, transition spaces like courtyards reinforce the seclusion and se¬gregation of women by influencing the female movement both in public and private spaces (Chowdhury, 1992). Men are able to move freely through the public streetscape, while women avoid open fields and roads. Instead they’re circulating via the more private courtyards (anginas) where most female activities take place, like cooking and interacting with other women. Another transition space that’s found in most of these dwellings, is the front porch (baithak) which is primarily used for receiving male guests. Women mostly don’t feel at home in this space although it is a prominent part of their homestead, and thus making an im¬pact on their habits. Like for females, transition spaces also nota¬bly influence the lifestyle of children and the elderly by offering a more private space for daily activities and social interactions.

Besides social and cultural importance, transition spaces are de¬signed to respond to climatic needs of the tropical monsoon cli¬mate (Singh, 2015). To illustrate, courtyards provide ventilation and therefore facades facing the street can contain fever ope¬nings, enabling more privacy and creating an open, yet private environment. Transition spaces like verandas offer a greater spa¬tial quality by providing protection from harsh sunlight and ra¬infall. In addition, the direct infiltration of heat and glare into the interior is being prevented by the extended roofs, keeping these indoor spaces cooler. Since the in-between space functions as a buffer zone for (severe) climate conditions, a more comfortable transition for the residents is created and the liveable quality of inside spaces is significantly improved.

Transition spaces are capable of either dividing or connecting spaces since they act as a link between public and private spa¬ces (Singh, 2015). For example, at one level it’s able to achieve privacy by not placing entrances in direct contact with exterior spaces. On the other level, interaction is being promoted when the space is enclosed through an in-between space like courty¬ards. In either way, transition spaces are inevitably at the heart of living in many (South) Asian cultures such as Bangladesh. Late Indian architect Charles Correa even believes that a transition space like an open to sky place can make a significant difference between a liveable habitat and claustrophobia in small (low in¬come) housing. Taking into account the importance of transition spaces in Bangladesh’ architecture is therefore crucial. People specific themes like gender, ethnicity, religion and income are all playing a key role in the creation of meaningful transition spaces which affect and operate on various scales: the scale of a dwel¬ling, community and city.