Journal of Vol 4 (1): Pages 1-12 (2024)

DOI: 10.37357/1068/jso/4.1.01
SUSTAINABILITY ISSN: 2435-7243

OUTREACH

Investigating the impact of building facades and finishing materials on the sustainable archi-
tectural identity of housing
A case study of Kabul
Alavi Sayed Farhad1* and Tomoyuki Tanaka2
1Department of Architecture and Environmental Planning, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Education Program for Architecture and Environmen-
tal Planning, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
2Department of Architecture and Environmental Planning, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan

Article ABSTRACT
Open Access The architectural identities of a city and its surroundings are crucial for maintaining its quality and
Published preserving its unique features. The cities of Afghanistan have undergone significant changes in their
identities due to various internal and external factors. These factors have altered or destroyed the
identity of the city, leading to the loss of architectural identity and increased confusion in numerous
Keywords
cities in Afghanistan. Throughout history, the city of Kabul, the largest city, has struggled to maintain
− Architectural identity an identifiable architectural style due to the rapid growth of informal settlements. Recently, large glass
− Sustainable and synthetic material facades have become prominent features of Kabul’s urban landscape. These
− Building façade structures represent a new era of modernity, in contrast to the traditional mud-colored buildings that
− Finishing materials have long dominated the city’s architecture style. The purpose of this research is to explore the influ-
− Informal settlements ence of building façades and finishing materials on Kabul's sustainable architectural identity, with the
goal of studying the relationship between residential building design features and the city's cultural,
social, and historical environment. The study utilizes a mixed-methods approach, which involves con-
ducting a comprehensive literature analysis and a field study that involves collecting data through
observations, interviews, and questionnaires to achieve its objectives. The findings indicate that the
selection of building façades and finishing materials has a significant impact on the sustainable archi-
tectural identity of Kabul. This study offers valuable insights for policymakers, architects, urban plan-
ners, and other stakeholders involved in shaping a sustainable built environment for Kabul and other
similar cities in Afghanistan.
Received: August 09, 2023; Revised: August 17, 2023; Accepted: August 18, 2023; Published: June 30, 2024 (Early Access) © 2024 REPA. All rights reserved.

1. Introduction
The history of a nation shapes its identity, which is trans- conform to regulations [4]) occupy most of the residential
mitted from generation to generation [1]. Nonetheless, areas, there is a significant need for regulations, policies,
the development of buildings that represent a nation's cul- and usage manuals regarding housing facades and finish-
tural heritage at any given moment shapes its architec- ing materials to represent Kabul’s architectural identity.
tural identity. Building design and construction not only The identity of a city, in terms of both its urban and archi-
reflect the culture and civilization that generated them but tectural aspects, is influenced by a multitude of factors.
also influence the individuals who inhabit them. In other These factors include the design of buildings as well as the
words, the physical structures that we constructed have a materials used in their construction. The appearance of
considerable impact on our conduct, sentiments, and gen- housing in Kabul plays a crucial role in defining the city's
eral state of health. In 1943, Winston Churchill delivered a visual identity and overall environment. This is largely
speech to the House of Commons where he expressed the due to the facades and finishing materials used in con-
idea that our buildings have a significant impact on us. He struction. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate how
famously stated, "We shape our buildings, and therefore building facades and finishing materials impact the urban
they shape us" [2]. Unfortunately, in Afghanistan, the con- and architectural identity of Kabul. The objective of this
struction process has not been properly executed, result- research is to explore the impact of building façades and
ing in houses being built by individuals without proper ex- finishing materials on the identity of Kabul City and its dis-
pertise in architecture. Since 1978, informal settlements tinctive sense of place.
have become the primary form of housing expansion in
Kabul owing to strong urbanization and unstable political 1.2. Identity and sustainable architecture
conditions. This occurred despite the city's master and de-
Architecture and identity are complementary because ar-
tailed plans being disregarded [3]. In the setting of Kabul,
chitecture can create an identity that preserves its value
where informal settlements (referring to dwellings that
for future generations. Identity has many dimensions and
have been constructed on land that have not been ac-
a variety of meanings and explanations across diverse
quired through government processes and do not

Corresponding author: AS Farhad This work is licensed under a Creative Commons CC BY-NC 4.0 License.
Email: [email protected] © 2024 by author and REPA - Research and Education Promotion Association
Farhad AS and Tanaka T. | Journal of Sustainability Outreach 2

fields of study. To analyze an environmental image effec- in order to achieve long-term sustainable development.
tively, it can be broken down into three components: iden- Hence, the concepts of identity, architecture, and sustain-
tity, structure, and meaning [5]. To differentiate between ability are closely intertwined, and it is crucial to consider
cities, it is necessary to identify certain characteristics that environmental concerns when designing buildings. Three
set them apart from one another. The act of identification key elements of sustainability are represented graphically
is crucial for human perception as well as for any living in Figure 1.
creature, and allows us to recognize and comprehend phe-
nomena, enabling us to interact with them effectively [6].
The first step in creating a functional image is to identify
an object, which involves distinguishing it from other ob- Environmental
jects and recognizing it as a distinct entity, this is called Sustainability
identity in the sense of individuality or unity [5]. Conse-
quently, identity is a combination of attitudes, features,
uniqueness, and originality, which distinguishes one thing
from another. Economic Social
Architecture is an integral part of a society's identity,
conveying messages, features, and ideas unique to that
culture, and is influenced by a variety of factors, including Figure 1. The concept of sustainability, the triple bottom line,
geography, traditions, customs, history, and the collective adopted from [14].
knowledge of the society in which it emerged [7,8]. Archi-
tecture plays a significant role in our daily lives, both in Due to the fact that the majority of houses in Kabul city are
terms of practical functions and experiences, while our constructed by individuals without professional expertise,
surroundings greatly influence our lives, aspirations, and the incorporation of sustainability objectives and the uti-
dreams . Therefore, high-quality architecture plays a key lization of sustainable materials in buildings are rarely ob-
role in creating favorable conditions for everyday living. served. Furthermore, the lack of awareness among indi-
Architecture is part of the identity phenomenon; therefore viduals involved in the construction process regarding
the impacts of changes in surroundings and places on sustainable goals has resulted in the neglect of this crucial
communities are critical to maintaining identity [9]. The aspect in the majority of houses.
architecture of a building, including its façade, structures,
and interior spaces, is a prominent reflection of the cul- 1.3. Building façades and finishing materials
ture of a nation [7]. According to Lynch (1960), unique fa-
In architecture, a building façade refers to the exterior-fac-
çade characteristics play a crucial role in defining the
ing side or frontage of a building, usually facing the street
identity of a path. In addition, architecture generates value
or public space. It is part of a building that is visible from
and identity by designing a building, which this identity
the outside and often represents the building’s character
may create by variety of variables in defining history,
and style. Building facades are an integrated system that
memory, culture, and environment. By planning and de-
captures people's imaginations and elicits emotional re-
signing effectively and utilizing architecture as a tool for
sponses via the logic of utility and surrealism of beauty
improving the quality of life, we can generate identity for
(Bechtel and Churchman, 2003, as cited in [15]. The out-
both individuals and society [10]. Architecture holds a
ward appearance of a building, much like clothing, plays a
unique ability to establish an identity that can serve as a
crucial role in expressing and defining its identity. In par-
symbol for a city or country for many years. Therefore, it
ticular, the facade serves as a noteworthy aspect of a
is crucial that we take great care in preserving and pro-
building’s external identity and holds significant value in
moting the architectural identity.
this regard.
According to the World Commission on Environment and
The façade, as the external surface of a building, plays a
Development (WCED), sustainability is the concept of
crucial role in human interaction with the built environ-
meeting the current needs and desires without threaten-
ment. It not only showcases the architectural style of a
ing the ability to fulfill them in the future [11]. Sustainable
specific area but also communicates the unique cultural,
architecture, also referred to as green architecture or en-
social, climatic, political, and economic characteristics that
vironmentally friendly architecture, involves the design
are inherent to the local context (Askari and Dola, 2009, as
and construction of buildings with the goal of minimizing
cited in [15]. The building facade has several components
their negative impact on the environment while prioritiz-
and factors that are considered during the design process.
ing the well-being of occupants. The most crucial aspect of
These components shown in Figure 2 include form, shape,
sustainable architecture is to minimize the negative im-
color, material, and structure [16]. Moreover, the architec-
pacts on the environment and enhance the quality of life
tural concept of a specific area is influenced by numerous
by considering specific factors that influence people's
factors that can be grouped into environmental, historical,
well-being [12]. According to Robert Goodland [13], sus-
cultural, social, technical, aesthetic, economic, and politi-
tainable development (SD) should incorporate the princi-
cal categories [15]. These factors, together with other
ples of social, environmental, and economic sustainability

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2024, 4 (1): 1-12, DOI 10.37357/1068/jso/4.1.01 3

considerations, collectively shape the identity of every ur- the government and citizens have been diligently working
ban area, and changes in any of these factors directly im- toward the reconstruction of Kabul. Additionally, interna-
pact building facades and finishing materials, which play a tional donors are contributing to the rehabilitation and re-
significant role in shaping a nation's identity. construction efforts of the capital city. Regrettably, the
growth and expansion of the city took place without a
Finishing materials are the numerous materials used to
shared vision, proper urban planning, or clear direction
cover, beautify, and protect the internal and external sur-
for reconstruction and future development. Therefore,
faces of a building, such as walls, floors, ceilings, and roofs.
during decades of development and progress in Kabul,
The selection of building materials is essential for various
there has been a trend of destroying valuable historical
reasons, including creating a balance between structural
buildings. Many people are demolishing historical houses
stability and visual quality, choosing the appropriate con-
and replacing them with modern buildings that do not
struction technique, giving the building its distinctive
align with ancient Kabuli architecture.
character and visual appeal, indicating the building's pe-
riod of construction, following the development of con- Furthermore, new housing in Kabul is lacks architec-
struction techniques, incorporating both aesthetic and tural design elements. It incorporates foreign architec-
practical elements, and determining the budget for build- tural elements on the façade, utilizes manufactured mate-
ing projects [17]. The specifications of these materials rials, and does not establish a connection with the history
play an important role in creating a building's architec- and culture of the city. The citizens constructed their own
tural character because they can improve or detract from houses without seeking guidance from an architect or any
the overall appearance and functioning of the space. other expert. This creates disorder within the city and
causes it to lose its architectural identity. Architectural
The characteristics of an object, including qualities such
identity is an ongoing phenomenon that can change and
as hardness, softness, and flexibility, can often be under-
evolve over time, creating connections between the past,
stood through physical observation and tactile explora-
present, and future. Based on the issue statement, the ma-
tion of the materials involved, which possess unique prop-
jor assumption of this study is the function of building fa-
erties that contribute to their overall behavior [8]. Differ-
çade and finishing materials in defining architectural
ent types of building materials have been used in different
identity in terms of façade components.
historical periods, which reflect the architectural capabil-
ities, beliefs, culture, and civilization of that era. In addi-
1.5. Study aims
tion to their functions and decorative purposes, building
materials also have symbolic values and meanings that The external appearance of a building, including its facade
convey concepts and ideas [8]. In reality, the material de- and materials, is crucial for creating its identity. There-
termines the form of the façade and conveys the overall fore, the aim of this research is to investigate how building
architectural purpose [18], and the visual appearance and facades contribute to the architectural identity of Kabul.
structural stability of a building are interlinked through This study aimed to achieve the following main objectives.
the relationship between the type of material used and the − To determine the most commonly used building fa-
resulting type and form of the structure [17]. Therefore, cades and finishing materials in residential construc-
the choice of building material can be a powerful tool for tion within the city. Particularly, historical houses,
communicating cultural, social, and political messages formal, informal, and hillside dwellings.
from different historical periods. As a result, the goal of
this research is to identify the most frequently used build- − To analyze how these materials affect the city's over-
ing façades and finishing materials in Kabul residential all visual appearance and architectural identity.
construction and explore how these materials impact the − To examine the influence of cultural, historical, social,
visual and architectural aspects of the city. and economic factors on the utilization of these mate-
rials in housing construction and their connection to
1.4. Problem statement the urban identity of the city.
Kabul is a city that boasts a rich and extensive history. The − To offer guidance to urban planners and architects on
city has experienced rapid urban growth since the early how to enhance the urban identity of Kabul City by
1900s. Between 1970 and 2001, the development of the utilizing building facades and finishing materials in a
city was slow because of political instability and wars. cohesive and authentic manner.
Since 2001, following the fall of the Taliban regime, both

Facade
components

Form Shape Color Material Structure

Figure 2. Façade components.

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Farhad AS and Tanaka T. | Journal of Sustainability Outreach 4

1.6. Review of the literature

quantitative methods. Furthermore, a visual analysis was
conducted on the photographs collected during the site
Several studies have been conducted on Kabul, focusing surveys to identify the impact of building façade and fin-
on various topics. Issa and Kohistani [19] examined Ka- ishing materials on the visual character and architectural
bul's urban identity from the perspective of socio-political identity of Kabul. Based on the findings’, proposed strate-
development. According to the study, urban development gies have been developed to promote cohesive and au-
in Kabul today represents a wide range of opinions and thentic architectural identity through the use of building
ideas, as well as the knowledge engaged in the rebuilding facades and finishing materials. These strategies were in-
process. According to the findings, Kabul is today a big city tended to assist architects, developers, and planners. The
with a diversity of urban identities that reflect various so- research methodology used in this study is shown in Fig-
cioeconomic and political dimensions of growth. In 2017, ure 3.
Kazimee and Najimi conducted a study that focused on the
historical conservation process in Kabul since 2001 [20]. The research was carried out in Kabul, Afghanistan's
The study examined urban regeneration and the preser- capital and the largest city, in January 2023. Figure 4 dis-
vation of architectural heritage. The study showed that a plays the geographical location of Kabul on the map of Af-
restored historic city will stimulate the economy and de- ghanistan, which has 22 districts. In this research, the
velop a family sense of place where people take pride in questionnaire survey included a total of 106 participants
their built environment and live with dignity. Ayoobi and from Kabul University, Polytechnic University, and Kabul
Demirkol [21] conducted a study to evaluate architectural municipality. The participants involved in the study in-
monuments in Kabul, the capital city of Afghanistan. The cluded individuals with expertise in architecture, such as
aim of the study was to examine the architectural evolu- architects, students enrolled in architecture programs,
tion of Kabul city by taking into account the impact of dif- and professors specializing in the field of architecture. The
ferent civilizations throughout history. The study clarified study included participants from diverse groups based on
that the architectural revolution in Kabul signifies a cru- gender, age, occupation, and educational level. In this
cial milestone in history, marking the transition from pre- study, 41.5% of the participants were female architects
Islamic to Islamic eras, which encompassed various archi- from Kabul University's architecture department. The ma-
tectural styles. Sarwari and Ono [22] carried out an analy- jority of participants in this research were between the
sis of urban ethnic segmentation in Kabul. The study in- ages of 18 and 24, with a bachelor's degree. 67% of the
vestigated the presence of ethnic communities in Kabul participants had lived in Kabul for more than ten years, in-
and their significance to the city's inhabitants. According dicating that they were familiar with the city's architec-
to the findings, individuals reside together due to a shared tural conditions. Table 1. shows the personal information
sense of community identity referred to as Qawm. So far, of the participants. In order to validate the results of the
no research has been conducted to investigate the impact questionnaire, we conducted a survey of various types of
of building façade and finishing materials on the architec- buildings including historical houses, formal and informal
tural identity of Kabul. Thus, the importance of this study dwellings, and hillside residences. The purpose of this sur-
is to restore the urban and architectural identities that vey was to assess the current state of these buildings in
have been lost due to various issues affecting the image of terms of their architectural design, as well as to identify
Kabul. These issues have had a significant impact on the the different types of building facades and finishing mate-
city's visual identity, both historically and in current ur- rials used concept of smart cities emerged in the nineties
ban patterns. as a solution to the challenges faced by the growing urban-
ization of the cities.
2. Methodology The typology of residential structures in Kabul encom-
passes various categories, including historical, formal, in-
A literature review, case study, interviews, surveys and formal, and hillside houses. In order to validate the results
questionnaires, visual analysis, data analysis, and recom- of the questionnaire, we conducted a survey of various
mended strategies for future development were all part of types of buildings including historical houses, formal and
the methodology used in this study. The literature review informal dwellings, and hillside residences. These specific
thoroughly examined the relevant literature regarding the houses were chosen due to historical significance, archi-
historical, cultural, social, and economic contexts of Kabul. tectural styles, geographic location, usage of building ma-
Furthermore, the review examined the present condition terials, and social context. The purpose of this survey was
of building facades and finishing materials in urban set- to assess the current state of these buildings in terms of
tings and their impact on the architectural character of Ka- their architectural design, as well as to identify the differ-
bul. A questionnaire was developed to collect data from ent types of building facades and finishing materials used.
local architects and residents for the purpose of data col- Moreover, to investigate diverse instances of architectural
lection. Subsequently, case studies were conducted on his- styles across several localities, we carefully selected dis-
torical, modern, and hillside houses using photographs, tinct growth zones inside Kabul and these areas are re-
field notes, and sketches. The data for this research were nowned for their high concentration of residential struc-
collected through literature reviews, case studies, and in- tures and contain various examples of residential house.
terviews, and were analyzed using both qualitative and

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Farhad AS and Tanaka T. | Journal of Sustainability Outreach 5

Figure 3. Research methodology diagram.

Figure 4. Location of Kabul in Afghanistan’s map, 22 districts of Kabul, and study areas.

Table 1: General information of the participants.

3. Findings and Results
Frequency
Information Category %
(n=106) After the fall of the Taliban and the establishment of a new
Gender Male 62 58.5 government in 2001, a new era of reconstruction began.
Female 44 41.5 The residents of the area were hopeful that they would re-
18-24 60 56.6 build their homes. Due to population growth and inade-
Age 25-34 42 39.6
35-44 4 3.8 quate urban planning, many individuals whose homes
High school diploma 19 17.9 were destroyed decided to rebuild them in a traditional
Education Bachelor’s degree 73 68.9 manner, without giving much consideration to quality or
level Master’s degree 13 12.3
Doctoral degree 1 0.9 architectural design. This research involved asking partic-
Student 30 28.3 ipants a series of questions about the factors that influ-
Architect 52 49.1 enced the architectural identity of Kabul. These factors in-
Occupation Urban planner 16 15.1
University professor 8 7.5 cluded rapid urbanization, population growth, wars, lim-
ited awareness about architecture, and inadequate imple-
Living period 1-10 years
More than 10 years
35
71
33.0
67.0 mentation of architectural regulations. A significant pro-
portion of the participants indicated that wars and con-
flicts had a transformative impact on the overarching ar-
chitectural identity of houses in Kabul. The wars have re-
sulted in the destruction of houses and the loss of

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2024, 4 (1): 1-12, DOI 10.37357/1068/jso/4.1.01 6

historical values, significantly impacting the revival of Historical houses in Kabul possess a distinct definition
houses during the reconstruction process. As a conse- and serve as a representation of a nation's identity, char-
quence of the war's impact, the inhabitants were com- acterized by their unique elements and their harmonious
pelled to construct a shelter for their own protection. This integration with the surrounding environment and cul-
process transpired expeditiously, leading to a sudden al- ture. Therefore, it is crucial for architects, urban planners,
teration in the architectural character of the city. Conse- and policymakers to consider this significant aspect of ar-
quently, the urban landscape underwent an unplanned chitectural identity when it comes to preserving and
and irregular expansion, resulting in the proliferation of maintaining it for future generations and developments.
inadequate housing that deviated from established archi- In this study, it was found that 43.4% of the participants
tectural design principles. However, there was a signifi- strongly agreed and 22.6% agreed with the idea of pre-
cant lack of knowledge among people regarding architec- serving the historical identity of Kabul. During the era of
ture, and professionals in this field were rarely found. The reconstruction, many houses in Kabul were constructed
general assessment of Kabul’s architectural identity under the influence of foreign cultures brought in through
shown in Table 2. migration from neighboring countries. The houses lacked
any connection to Kabul's climate, history, and memory,
Table 2: General assessment of architectural identity of Ka- thus reflecting a foreign identity.
bul.
Frequency In the design of building facades, there has been a sig-
Information Category %
(n=106) nificant issue with the excessive use of shading devices
Rapid urbanization and without proper calculation, decorative elements that lack
Yes 96 90.6
development affected Ka-
bul’s architectural identity No 10 9.4 both purpose and coherence, and an overreliance on glass,
Wars and conflicts Alukoband, and other manufactured materials. As a result,
changed the architectural Yes 100 94.3
No 6 5.7 the overall appearance of the city's building facades has
identity of Kabul become disordered and lacking in harmony. The partici-
Lack of architectural regu- Yes 92 86.8
lations and enforcement pants in this research agreed that the elements in the fa-
No 14 13.2
affected Kabul’s identity çade of new buildings are influenced by migration from
Lack of architectural neighboring countries. The participants emphasized the
awareness and education Yes 95 89.6
affected the overall iden- No 11 10.4 significant role of building facade and finishing materials
tity of Kabul in defining the architectural identity of Kabul. Approxi-
mately 41.5% of the participants agreed with this idea,
whereas 35.8% strongly agreed. As a result, Kabul’s archi-
Figure 5 illustrates how various factors and elements con-
tectural identity is influenced by various factors, including
tribute to the formation of architectural identity. The ma-
its history, climate, environment, economy, and social as-
jority of participants agreed that the unique architectural
pects.
identity of Kabul was influenced by its history and culture.

Figure 5. Influence of history and culture, imported identity, preserving and maintaining identity, and the importance of building
façade and finishing materials in shaping architectural identity of Kabul.

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Farhad AS and Tanaka T. | Journal of Sustainability Outreach 7

(1999) defines shape as the distinct outline of a two-

3.1. Building façade
dimensional figure or the surface configuration of a
Individuals identified by their name, social position, and three-dimensional form. The shape and layout of a
profession, can also be recognized by their clothing, which building can constitute a significant element of its
serves as an external representation of their identity. The comprehensive visual identity. Most old houses were
facade of a building also serves as its external identity, and designed with a courtyard at their center, typically in
it is important to carefully consider the form, shape, color, a rectangular shape. The rooms were strategically ar-
and materials used in its design. This is because the facade ranged around this central courtyard. In both formal
plays a crucial role in establishing and defining the build- and informal housing, we encounter a wide range of
ing's identity. As shown in Table 3, in this study, we con- building shapes and layouts. These shapes are pri-
ducted an analysis of the building façade in the studied ar- marily derived from the distribution of layouts deter-
eas, focusing on its various components. In the following mined by the municipality or local experts at each
section, we provide explanations and examine each com- specific location. The houses on the hillside had a sim-
ponent, relating them to the areas of study. ple shape, lacking any clear concept or definition. Ad-
ditionally, the designs did not take into account the
− Form: According to Yilmaz (1999), form in architec-
natural shape of the ground.
ture is not solely connected to space and the activities
taking place within it. The form also serves as a means − Color: Color similar to shape and texture, is an intrin-
of conveying meaning or acting as a sign [23]. It refers sic visual characteristic of all forms and is frequently
to the components of a structure that establish its gen- present in our surrounding environmental contexts
eral attributes and features. Forms can maintain their [24]. Color is more persistent in the mind; whereas
regularity even when they undergo dimensional the form and texture of anything that passes quickly
transformations or when elements are added or sub- us by may be forgotten but its color typically stays in
tracted [24]. Forms can exhibit regularity or irregu- the memory [26]. The light that illuminates and dis-
larity, with irregular forms typically displaying asym- closes shape and space is the source of the colors we
metry and greater dynamism compared to regular give to things since color cannot exist without light
forms [25]. Hence, the architectural form of a building [24]. The houses in Kabul typically have dusty mud-
has the potential to imbue significance, recollection, brown structures, which contribute to the creation of
distinctiveness, renown, and enhanced significance a natural color façade for residential buildings. Never-
for its residents. In this research, we examined four theless, the local government of Kabul is applying vi-
types of houses and identified various building forms. brant paint to numerous dwellings situated on
In older houses, we observed that the houses were de- hillsides, with the intention of uplifting the morale of
signed in a courtyard shape. However, in modern its inhabitants through the use of cheerful colors such
houses, we did not find consistent uniformity in the as blue, yellow, green, and pink. Figure 6 shows
form and facades of the buildings. hillside houses painted by the Kabul municipality in
various districts of Kabul.
− Shape: In architecture, shapes have an important part
in the design and appearance of the building. Yilmaz
Table 3: Analysis of building façade components in four types of houses in Kabul.

Types House images Category

Traditional

Form (Courtyard house), Shape

houses

(Uniform), Color (Mud-brown),

Structure (Stone, wood)

Form (Courtyard, detached, and

Formal
houses

apartment houses), Shape (Irregular),

Color (Various types), Structure
(Concrete)

Form (Courtyard, detached, and

Informal
houses

apartment houses), Shape (Irregular),

Color (Various types), Structure
(Concrete, stone, brick)
Hillside

Form (Detached houses), Shape

houses

(Irregular), Color (Various types),

Structure (Stone, brick, concrete)

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Farhad AS and Tanaka T. | Journal of Sustainability Outreach 8

Figure 6. Painted hillside houses located in various districts of Kabul.

The paintings were of poor quality and over time, the aesthetically pleasing, but also possess strength, du-
colors disappeared. The majority of participants rability, and efficiency; it should effectively fulfil all
agreed that the architectural identity of Kabul can be the practical purposes for which it is constructed [27].
positively influenced by house painting, provided that
it is executed with a high level of craftsmanship and 3.2. Finishing material
adheres to a well-defined concept and plan. In gen-
Finish materials can be an essential element of the archi-
eral, the selection of the facade color for buildings in
tectural components that define an interior space, or they
Kabul is performed on an individual basis, with a ma-
can be applied as a layer or coating to the room's built
jority of them opting for bright colors. Conversely, the
walls, ceiling, and floor [24]. In the majority of historical,
colors of most buildings are primarily influenced by
formal, informal, and hillside houses in Kabul, a variety of
the finishing materials employed in their construc-
construction materials are frequently used. Kahgel, a type
tion.
of mud plaster made by combining straw and mud in spe-
− Structure: The characterization of a building is signif- cific proportions, is commonly used as a finishing layer on
icantly influenced by its structural system and constit- roofs and walls of historical, hillside, and informal houses.
uent elements. Sakharam (1966) states that the pri- In both formal and informal houses built after the recon-
mary purpose of a structure is to offer protection and struction process, cement, chips, and ceramic tiles are
accommodation for diverse human endeavours, with mostly used for roofing purposes, while stone, stucco, ce-
the specific nature of the structure reflecting the in- ramic, Kahgel, glass, and metal are often used for the fa-
tended use of the building [27]. In Kabul, the housing çade and finishing elements of housing. Materials have a
structures vary, with historical houses primarily significant impact on various aspects of a building, includ-
made of stone, brick, and wood materials. However, ing its overall structure, form, aesthetics, cost, method of
modern houses predominantly feature a main struc- construction, and ability to withstand internal and exter-
ture composed of concrete and fired brick. The struc- nal environments [29]. The use of traditional native mate-
ture that encloses the space should be firm, stable, rials in modern houses in Kabul is currently lacking, as
statically logical, and each structural element should they have been replaced by manufactured materials that
effectively perform its function [27,28]. Regrettably, do not connect well with the surrounding environment
the majority of houses in Kabul were constructed and climate of Kabul. The majority of new buildings are
without proper calculations, rendering them vulnera- primarily constructed using concrete due to its durability.
ble to powerful earthquakes. If a powerful earthquake However, it is important to note that concrete is not a re-
struck the city of Kabul, it could possibly result in a cyclable material. Figure 7 illustrates the criteria for sus-
significant disaster due to the weak structural integ- tainable design materials, which prioritize the principles
rity of buildings in the face of earthquakes and other of reuse, recycling, and minimizing environmental impact.
disasters. Architecture should not only be

Figure 7. Material’s sustainable design criteria, adopted from [24].

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Farhad AS and Tanaka T. | Journal of Sustainability Outreach 9

Table 4: Analysis of finishing materials in four types of houses in Kabul.

Infor-
House images Category
mation

Roof
Traditional
Materials: Roof (Wood), Wall
houses

Wall (Brick and mud plaster),

Openings Openings (Wood), Founda-
Foundation
tion (Stone)
Formal houses

Roof
Materials: Roof (Concrete),
Wall Wall (Brick and cement plas-
Openings ter), Openings (PVC), Foun-
Foundation
dation (Concrete)

Roof
Materials: Roof (Concrete),
Informal
houses

Wall Wall (Brick), Openings

Openings (Wood and PVC), Foundation
Foundation
(Concrete)
Hillside houses

Roof
Materials: Roof (Brick and
Wall mud), Wall (Brick), Openings
Openings (Wood, Iron), Foundation
Foundation
(Stone)

Most new houses have PVC openings, which is a plastic economic and social circumstances of the residents. In Ka-
production. Nevertheless, PVC is not an environmentally bul, the majority of residents whose houses were de-
friendly material, and the recycling and burning of chlo- stroyed during the war were chosen to rebuild them in the
rides is a major environmental concern. Table 4 presents traditional manner, utilizing affordable raw materials
a breakdown of material usage in four different types of such as stone, mud, and wood. Due to the high demand for
houses, specifically focusing on the roof, walls, openings, housing in the capital city, residents paid little attention to
and foundation of each building. In traditional houses, architectural design elements. Additionally, the govern-
there has been a significant use of natural materials. On ment did not adequately regulate or plan the rehabilita-
the other hand, other types of housing have introduced a tion process. As a result, the image of Kabul from the per-
variety of materials, which represent different identities spective of old housing has changed due to a simple design
for building facades and in contrast with traditional part that defines the openings, shading devices, color, and fin-
and mud-brown landscape of Kabul. ishing materials. A typical house in Kabul is a one- or two-
story building with a courtyard. It is surrounded by rooms
4. Discussion and has a high mud wall that provides privacy for the fam-
ily and creates an inward-looking atmosphere. In modern
The design of a building façade holds significant im- houses built after 2002, various types of façade and design
portance, as it serves as the outward representation of a elements can be found. It has been observed that builders
city, establishing a connection between the external and and local masons who construct houses have been influ-
internal environments. It embodies the identity of the enced by foreign cultures and lifestyles. The façade of the
building, reflecting its architectural style and historical new housing featured several main elements. These in-
context. Consequently, careful consideration must be cluded decorative patterns that served no functional pur-
given to its design. Since the start of the reconstruction in pose, shading devices that lacked proper calculation and
2002, Kabul has attracted significant attention due to the placement, coloring that was not specified and did not
extensive new construction taking place. Various groups match the surrounding area, and the use of Alukoband as
with different ideologies and perspectives are involved in finishing material without considering its impact on the
this process, including local, regional, and western percep- environment and climate of Kabul. In Picture 8, we ana-
tions [20]. The study found that the architectural design of lyzed the overall building façade and finishing material of
the house and its façade are closely connected to the different types of housing in Kabul.

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Farhad AS and Tanaka T. | Journal of Sustainability Outreach 10

Figure 8. The final analysis of building facades and finishing materials in the construction of housing in Kabul.

In this analysis, the façade of traditional houses received promoting sustainable development. Architects, urban
the highest score due to its unique definition and specific planners, and policymakers should carefully consider the
criteria. In addition, traditional houses typically incorpo- nation's identity with respect to the unique elements and
rate native materials that blend harmoniously with their harmonious integration of historical houses. The incorpo-
surroundings. In contrast, modern houses often utilize ration of foreign cultural influences into building facades
manufactured materials that create a stark contrast with has resulted in a lack of coherence and harmony in the
the surrounding environment. This study found that mod- overall appearance of the city. Table 5 presents a set of
ern houses commonly feature various building facades recommendations for policymakers, architects, and plan-
and finishing materials. The use of materials such as con- ners to effectively promote Kabul's architectural identity.
crete, steel, glass, and Alukoband is on the rise, whereas
The architectural identity of Kabul can be greatly en-
the usage of traditional materials like mud, wood, and
hanced by employing thoughtful forms, shapes, colors,
bricks is decreasing. The shift in materials is a result of
and materials, resulting in a unique and visually striking
global trends and a lack of awareness regarding the envi-
representation. Nevertheless, there are certain challenges
ronmental and cultural advantages of using locally
that need to be addressed. One such challenge is the lack
sourced and traditional materials. The study found that
of sufficient knowledge about architecture among the gen-
the use of building facades and finishing materials is
eral population. Additionally, there is a scarcity of profes-
greatly influenced by cultural and historical factors. For
sionals in the field, which further compounds the issue. By
instance, the choice to use mud plaster demonstrates a
addressing these challenges and promoting the use of sus-
historical inclination towards utilizing natural materials.
tainable and native materials, we can help preserve Ka-
Similarly, the incorporation of geometric patterns on the
bul's architectural identity and enhance the city's cultural
façade is influenced by Islamic traditions. The unique ar-
heritage. By acknowledging and appreciating these fac-
chitectural identity of Kabul is shaped by a variety of his-
tors, Kabul can work towards establishing a unique archi-
torical and cultural influences. The study also examined
tectural identity that embodies its history, culture, and
the social and economic factors that impact the choice of
identity, while ensuring a sustainable and resilient future.
building facades and finishing materials in housing con-
struction. Developers and homeowners frequently place a The study findings suggest that traditional houses in Ka-
higher emphasis on artificial aesthetics, decoration, and bul play a significant role in defining the city's architec-
inexpensive materials rather than prioritizing sustainabil- tural identity when compared to modern architecture.
ity, durability, and affordability. However, modern architecture is lacking in the diverse el-
ements of façade and finishing materials that contribute to
5. Conclusions its architectural identity, which calls for fundamental
changes. To restore these lost components and identities,
This research aims to provide insight into the various it is essential that city planners, architects, policymakers,
comprehensive factors that influence the architectural and residents collaborate. Together, they can work to-
identity of Kabul during its reconstruction phase. The wards establishing a city that truly embodies a unique ar-
city's architectural character has been significantly af- chitectural identity. This study aims to support urban
fected by wars and conflicts, resulting in the destruction planners, architects, and government agencies by helping
of historical houses and the loss of cultural values. The them identify the distinctive façade and finishing material
rapid need for shelter among the inhabitants led to an un- elements for future development and research in Kabul,
planned and irregular expansion, which deviated from es- with the goal of creating a unique, sustainable, and recog-
tablished architectural principles. Preserving the histori- nizable façade identity for the city of Kabul.
cal and cultural identity of Kabul's architecture is crucial
for ensuring the well-being of future generations and

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2024, 4 (1): 1-12, DOI 10.37357/1068/jso/4.1.01 11

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