Perforated Screens as Integrated Architectural Systems in Jaali, Mashrabiya, and Cobogó
Perforated screens such as jaali and mashrabiya are frequently misunderstood as simple ornamental features in modern architecture. However, they historically functioned as crucial wall systems throughout the Indian subcontinent and the Islamic world. These screens play a vital role in regulating temperature, facilitating airflow, and bridging indoor and outdoor environments, which contrasts with contemporary architectural approaches that often disconnect structure from its functional aspects. Their diverse roles combine geometry, materials, and climate considerations. The article critiques this misunderstanding, asserting that removing these screens impacts a building’s functionality. Citing examples like Nghia-Architect's Maison A, it underscores that these screens were designed as integrated systems, highlighting their cultural and historical importance, as referenced by ArchDaily.
Key facts
- Perforated screens like jaali and mashrabiya are often treated as decorative afterthoughts in contemporary architecture.
- In many buildings across the Indian subcontinent and the Islamic world, screens function as integrated wall systems.
- Screens regulate heat, move air, and mediate between inside and outside, not just soften light or decorate façades.
- Removing these screens changes a building's ability to perform environmentally, not just its appearance.
- Architectural thinking has long separated structure from envelope and performance from expression.
- Screens were conceived as integrated systems where geometry, material, and climate operate together.
- The article references Maison A by Nghia-Architect as an example of such screen usage.
- The discussion is based on sources from ArchDaily, including articles on reimagining mashrabiyya and perforated architecture.
Entities
Artists
- Tuan Nghia Nguyen
Institutions
- ArchDaily
- Nghia-Architect
Locations
- Indian subcontinent
- Islamic world