Employing auxiliary natural lighting systems within the elements of traditional buildings: A special study on employing one of the auxiliary lighting techniques within one of the elements of a mosque in the ancient urban fabric

Abstract

Technological development is considered one of the most important influences that contributed to the change of some design elements (formal and functional), both or each. Among these elements is the minaret. This was evident in the old urban fabric, and because of the existence of other basic reasons in the traditional fabric, including the increase in the population of the weaving area, which led to the dispensation of the inner courtyard. It had changed from an element that has a shape and function to an element that has a shape only, to indicate the presence of a mosque this was evident in the old urban fabric .Due to the presence of other essential causes in the traditional fabric like the increase in population among the inhabitants of the fabric which led to neglecting the internal area , moreover climate change led to the use of window openings as outlets for air conditioning instruments ,the researcher employed the minaret to enable sunlight inter the inner space of the mosque (prayer space) due to the importance of natural sunlight effect on people's psychological and physiological health . This research was conducted in a clear sky of Babil province for latitude of (32.8) north, small samples were made measuring 1:20 for the minaret and the mosque space, a device for measuring the sunlight amount (Multi-Function Environment Meter 4IN1) was used . Results showed an increase in natural sunlight reflected inside the space of the mosque. This study came out with the following recommendations, the importance of employing the archeological elements which their functions were altered by technological growth to enhance the internal environment with the finding of solutions to the amount of harmony in distributing sunlight (distributing natural sunlight harmoniously )