Aq

Department Architectural Engineering

University of Prince Mugrin

College of Engineering

Fall 2020

Assignment 1

Research Definition

A study on the indoor environment design that can encourage

people to develop their self-based education

1.1 Introduction

Knowledge plays an important role in life. “Whenever you read a good book, somewhere in

the world a door opens to allow in more light” says Vera Nazarian, who is a writer of fantasy

and science fiction. In terms of various areas, knowledge is referred to as awareness, details,

facts, and understanding. It is an insight or familiarity that is obtained through experience of

the reality or situation and can be both theoretical and practical awareness of the subject.

knowledge acquired is beneficial to everyone either from personal or professional aspects. It is

the key aspect in life, as it contributes effectively to the growth and development of individuals.

There are enormous benefits of knowledge such as those who having efficient awareness in

different aspects, they would be able to contribute actively to the provision of assistance to

others, as well as to cooperation and integration work (Power, 2015).

Reading is a main tool to acquire knowledge. Fusselman said that: “today a reader, tomorrow

a leader” and history has proven that great leaders have been once great readers. For example,

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi and Nelson Mandela during their struggles were passionate

readers. It is also worth to mention that the great learners were also great earners. As Tremper

puts it, ‘if you read to learn, you’re bound to earn’. Reading is a great source of knowledge and

research when we try to clarify our preconceptions or worldview (Hussain, 2019). In our

Islamic religion and society, importance of reading is reflected in the Holy Quran by the word

'Iqra.' The first word revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) was 'Iqra',

means 'Read'. The highly valued source of knowledge of the Quran and the Holy Scripture

directs mankind to search far and wide for knowledge.

All over the world public libraries are an essential source of reading materials and self-

education through providing a free access to information for all community members, in

written, electronic, and audiovisual type. Libraries open up opportunities for lifelong learning,

recreation and individual research. However, as the technology development opened a new era

of information technology the role of public library changed due to the wide spread of internet

that allows people to access books, research, and many sorts of information.

The Global Vision discussion that held on 5th of July 2017 of the International Federation of

Library Associates and Institutions (IFLA) stressed the libraries' changes and role in the era of

the fourth industrial revolution which is defend as new level of organization and control over

the entire value chain of products. In a study related to the fourth industrial revolution

conducted in the field of literature and information science, they discussed that the fourth

industrial revolution is causing major changes in human life, occupation, and communication,

as well as libraries (Hussain, 2019).

Department Architectural Engineering

University of Prince Mugrin

College of Engineering

Fall 2020

Recently in Saudi Arabia, they draw more attention to improve public libraries. The culture

and information sector transferred to a new phase after the establishment of the first ministry

of culture to develop and support the culture sector. The official government movement to

support all cultural sectors was reflected in the library sector by the establishment of Libraries

Authority aimed to build up 153 libraries by 2030. This movement is a result of inactive current

situation of public library in Saudi Arabia as it suffers from many issues related to design and

services of public library (Jafary,2020).

1.2 Project Overview

1.2.1 Problem Statement

Public libraries are an essential source of reading materials and self-education through

providing a free access to information for all community members. However, public

library has been affected significantly by the 4th industrial revolution. This rapid

development of technologies and information access resulted in many changes in the

public library role and decreased number of visitors to the public library. In particular,

libraries in Al-Madinah city suffer from absence of activities, limited material of books

on display and the indoor environment of public library is not encouraging people to

visit. In addition, more than 50 % of public library in Saudi Arabia is in rented building

which means the building is not designed to be a library such as the public library of

Al-Madinah is located in the same building of ministry of media, King Abdelaziz public

library located within one of Islamic university buildings and Prophet Mohammed

mosque library located in mosque building.

I conducted an online questionnaire to Al-Madinah citizen through a group chat and

social media platforms to identify the current situation of public libraries in Al-Madinah

based on citizens’ perspective, measure their satisfaction, and allow them to

recommend solutions to improve their public libraries. From the online questionnaire,

the data obtained is of 208 respondents. The result of the questionnaire showed a low

level of people’s satisfaction with public library in Al-Madinah in terms of design and

services of the public libraries. From their prospective, there are two causes of lack of

visitors to public libraries electronic books and the indoor environment of the public

library dose not engorge people to visit. In addition to the need to improve the public

library in terms of design of the building and services based on respondents’

recommendation to enhance their public libraries.

This potential of the project is that it will promote self-based education – specially

education that based on reading books – without make people use technologies as we

are dealing with devices on a daily basis so we need to disconnect and experience an

effective reading activity from a trusted source, since we are facing a “ tsunami of

information” from the internet sources. It is unrealistic to attempt to make people avoid

using e-books. However, this research attempts to balance between both of digital

versions and paper-based books each of them has its own value and role in

accomplishing self-education criteria and to achieve the essential role of public library

in our community.

Department Architectural Engineering

University of Prince Mugrin

College of Engineering

Fall 2020

1.2.2 Goals & Objectives

The aim of this research is to promote self-education and enhance the reading

experience, services and indoor environment of the libraries through emphasis upon the

effects of architectural design on human behavior and provide a comfortable indoor

environment with activities space that achieve library role and attract people.

1.3 Initial Concept

Develop a new concept of a public library design and new functions that provided by libraries.

It would be possible with the emergence of interactive facilities, attractive design and indoor

environment that follow high standards of a comfortable and motivated space for reading,

exploring, and learning.