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Exploring Architectural Ethics and Challenges for Sustainable Practices: A Qualitative Study in Bahrain

Year 2025, Volume: 11 Issue: 2, 109 - 125, 30.12.2025

Abstract

Globalization has an innumerable impact on society, irrespective of professional types. Architecture is one of them. Architectural practice, principles, and ethical perception have swiftly transitioned under the broad umbrella of globalization. Architects and architectural firms in today’s world go beyond the epitome of national boundaries and work with diversified cultures. This brings us to a focal point of playing a dual role as a global citizen rather than being confined to the citizenship of the country of origin. This new role has posed a challenge to the architects to play a vital role in balancing client expectations, design ethics, local cultural values, and traditions while abiding by the local regulations in the global market, further deepening the ethical paradoxes of fair, transparent, and integrity in the profession. Hence, the purpose of this study is to investigate the moral issues and challenges posed to practitioners by the architecture profession. It aims to comprehend the synergistic impact of how ethical, cultural, social, and legal considerations influence decision-making in Bahraini architecture businesses. The study utilizes thematic analysis and in-depth interviews to collect perspectives from professionals, stakeholders, and active practitioners in the architectural field. The results will help raise ethical consciousness in architectural standards.

References

  • Kingwell, M. (2021). The ethics of architecture. Oxford University Press.
  • Kang, B. G. (2007). Construction ethics management: a comparative study of practice in the UK and Korea (Doctoral dissertation, Loughborough University).
  • Ameen, A., Elghonaimy, I. H. (2024). Understanding The Parameters of Influence in Public Space Design, International Conference in Emerging Technologies for Sustainability and Intelligent Systems (ICETSIS 2024), Volume: 1, January 2024, https://icetsis24.asu.edu.bh/venue/ January 28-29, 2024 (Hybrid), Applied Science University in Bahrain, Kingdom of Bahrain, Technically sponsored by IEEE Bahrain Section and INFORMS Bahrain International Group, DOI: 10.1109/ICETSIS61505.2024.10459434, Bahrain
  • Noor Saleh Alalawi, Islam Hamdi Elghonaimy (2025), Enhancing the Quality of Life through Design: Guidelines to Fostering Place Attachment in Bahraini Buildings, 8th International Conference of Contemporary Affairs in Architecture and Urbanism (ICCAUA-2025), Alanya, Turkey, 8-9 May 2025, DOI: https://doi.org/10.38027/ICCAUA2025.
  • Contact Your Licensing Board | NCARB - National Council of .... (n.d.). Retrieved January 17, 2024, from https://www.ncarb.org/become-architect/earn-license/state-licensing-boards.
  • Al Jabal, A. (2016). Malpractice Of Engineers, Lawyers And Doctors Under Bahrain Laws. Curentul Juridic, 64(1), 74-83.
  • Carroll, N. (2015). Architecture and ethics: autonomy, Architecture, art. Architecture Philosophy, 1(2).
  • Sadri, H. (2012). Professional ethics in architecture and responsibilities of architects towards humanity. Turkish Journal of Business Ethics, 5(9), 86-96.
  • Wasserman, B., Sullivan, P. J., & Palermo, G. (2000). Ethics and the Practice of Architecture. John Wiley & Sons.
  • Shipley, D. E. (1985). Copyright Protection for Architectural Works. SCL Rev., 37, 393.
  • Prof. Ahmed Yehia Rashed: The Alternative Scenario: Revisit the .... (n.d.). Retrieved January 20, 2024, from https://greenfue.com/prof-ahmed-yehia-rashed-the-alternative-scenario-revisit-the-fisc-conference-proceedings-2.
  • Hemanth Avni Durga, Elghonaimy Islam, Boussaa Djamel, Hanif Saad, (2025) Navigating post-pandemic spaces: the role of IoT for health, safety, and resilience, 11th International Academic and Technical Conference ARCHBUD, PROBLEMS OF CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION, 20-23 September, 2025 Kołobrzeg Conference under the honorary patronage of the Marshal of the Mazowieckie Voivodeship, Mr. Adam Struzik, https://uczelnia.akademiata.pl/en/konferencje/11th-international-academic-and-technical-conference-archbud/ DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.13338.71361
  • qu, C. (2019). Tensions and Challenges in Architectural Practice.
  • KANG, E., & Hwang, H. J. (2021). Ethical conducts in qualitative research methodology: Participant observation and interview process. Journal of Research and Publication Ethics, 2(2), 5-10.
  • Alfadhel, M., & Elghonaimy, I. (2025). Traces of local identity in high-rise building façades in Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain. 8th International Conference of Contemporary Affairs in Architecture and Urbanism (ICCAUA-2025) 8-9 May 2025, In Nikoofam, M., & Mobaraki, A. (Eds.), Resilient Urbanism: Architecture, Equity & Innovation (pp. 47–63). Cinius Yayınları. https://doi.org/10.38027/N4ICCAUA2025EN0266 conference proceeding book
  • Fontana, A., & Frey, J. H. (1998). Interviewing: the art of science, collecting and interpreting qualitative materials. Handbook of Qualitative Research. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, 47-78.
  • CRPEP | The Council for Regulating the Practice of Engineering .... (n.d.). Retrieved January 20, 2024, from http://www.crpep.bh.
  • D'Anjou, P. (2011). An ethics of freedom for architectural design practice. Journal of Architectural Education, 64(2), 141-147.
  • CURTIN, L. L. (1996, February). The Caux Round Table Principles for Business. Nursing Management (Springhouse), 27(2), 54???57. https://doi.org/10.1097/00006247-199602000-00016
  • Idowu, S. O., Capaldi, N., Zu, L., & Gupta, A. D. (Eds.). (2013). Encyclopedia of corporate social responsibility (Vol. 21). Berlin: Springer.
  • Roberts, D. (2018). Reflect Critically and Act Fearlessly: A Survey of Ethical Codes, Guidance and Access in Built Environment Practice.
  • Ciuk, S., & Latusek, D. (2018). Ethics in qualitative research (pp. 195-213). Springer International Publishing.
  • Qu, S. Q., & Dumay, J. (2011). The qualitative research interview. Qualitative research in accounting & management, 8(3), 238-264.
  • Villalobos-González, E. M. (2020). La construcción social en la práctica de la arquitectura. Una revisión crítica. CONTEXTO. Revista de la Facultad de Arquitectura de la Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, 14(20).
  • Egyptian Innovation Bank. (n.d.). Retrieved January 20, 2024, from https://eib.eg/?lang=en. Ethics in Architectural Practice - Archtoolbox. (n.d.). Retrieved January 17, 2024, from https://www.archtoolbox.com/ethics-in-architectural-practice.

Sürdürülebilir Uygulamalar için Mimari Etik ve Zorlukları Keşfetmek: Bahreyn'de Niteliksel Bir Çalışma

Year 2025, Volume: 11 Issue: 2, 109 - 125, 30.12.2025

Abstract

Küreselleşme, mesleki türlerden bağımsız olarak toplum üzerinde sayısız etkiye sahiptir. Mimarlık da bunlardan biridir. Mimari uygulama, ilkeler ve etik algı, küreselleşmenin geniş çatısı altında hızla dönüşüm geçirmiştir. Günümüz dünyasında mimarlar ve mimarlık firmaları, ulusal sınırların ötesine geçerek farklı kültürlerle çalışmaktadır. Bu da bizi, menşe ülkenin vatandaşlığıyla sınırlı kalmak yerine, küresel vatandaş olarak ikili bir rol oynamaya odaklanmamızı sağlamaktadır. Bu yeni rol, mimarlara, küresel pazarda yerel düzenlemelere uyarken, müşteri beklentileri, tasarım etiği, yerel kültürel değerler ve gelenekler arasında denge kurmada hayati bir rol oynamaları konusunda bir zorluk getirmiş ve meslekte adalet, şeffaflık ve dürüstlük gibi etik paradoksları daha da derinleştirmiştir. Bu nedenle, bu çalışmanın amacı, mimarlık mesleğinin uygulayıcılarına getirdiği ahlaki sorunları ve zorlukları araştırmaktır. Bahreyn'deki mimarlık işletmelerinde etik, kültürel, sosyal ve yasal hususların karar verme sürecini nasıl etkilediğinin sinerjik etkisini anlamayı amaçlamaktadır. Çalışma, mimarlık alanındaki profesyoneller, paydaşlar ve aktif uygulayıcıların bakış açılarını toplamak için tematik analiz ve derinlemesine görüşmelerden yararlanmaktadır. Sonuçlar, mimari standartlarda etik bilincin artırılmasına yardımcı olacaktır.

References

  • Kingwell, M. (2021). The ethics of architecture. Oxford University Press.
  • Kang, B. G. (2007). Construction ethics management: a comparative study of practice in the UK and Korea (Doctoral dissertation, Loughborough University).
  • Ameen, A., Elghonaimy, I. H. (2024). Understanding The Parameters of Influence in Public Space Design, International Conference in Emerging Technologies for Sustainability and Intelligent Systems (ICETSIS 2024), Volume: 1, January 2024, https://icetsis24.asu.edu.bh/venue/ January 28-29, 2024 (Hybrid), Applied Science University in Bahrain, Kingdom of Bahrain, Technically sponsored by IEEE Bahrain Section and INFORMS Bahrain International Group, DOI: 10.1109/ICETSIS61505.2024.10459434, Bahrain
  • Noor Saleh Alalawi, Islam Hamdi Elghonaimy (2025), Enhancing the Quality of Life through Design: Guidelines to Fostering Place Attachment in Bahraini Buildings, 8th International Conference of Contemporary Affairs in Architecture and Urbanism (ICCAUA-2025), Alanya, Turkey, 8-9 May 2025, DOI: https://doi.org/10.38027/ICCAUA2025.
  • Contact Your Licensing Board | NCARB - National Council of .... (n.d.). Retrieved January 17, 2024, from https://www.ncarb.org/become-architect/earn-license/state-licensing-boards.
  • Al Jabal, A. (2016). Malpractice Of Engineers, Lawyers And Doctors Under Bahrain Laws. Curentul Juridic, 64(1), 74-83.
  • Carroll, N. (2015). Architecture and ethics: autonomy, Architecture, art. Architecture Philosophy, 1(2).
  • Sadri, H. (2012). Professional ethics in architecture and responsibilities of architects towards humanity. Turkish Journal of Business Ethics, 5(9), 86-96.
  • Wasserman, B., Sullivan, P. J., & Palermo, G. (2000). Ethics and the Practice of Architecture. John Wiley & Sons.
  • Shipley, D. E. (1985). Copyright Protection for Architectural Works. SCL Rev., 37, 393.
  • Prof. Ahmed Yehia Rashed: The Alternative Scenario: Revisit the .... (n.d.). Retrieved January 20, 2024, from https://greenfue.com/prof-ahmed-yehia-rashed-the-alternative-scenario-revisit-the-fisc-conference-proceedings-2.
  • Hemanth Avni Durga, Elghonaimy Islam, Boussaa Djamel, Hanif Saad, (2025) Navigating post-pandemic spaces: the role of IoT for health, safety, and resilience, 11th International Academic and Technical Conference ARCHBUD, PROBLEMS OF CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION, 20-23 September, 2025 Kołobrzeg Conference under the honorary patronage of the Marshal of the Mazowieckie Voivodeship, Mr. Adam Struzik, https://uczelnia.akademiata.pl/en/konferencje/11th-international-academic-and-technical-conference-archbud/ DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.13338.71361
  • qu, C. (2019). Tensions and Challenges in Architectural Practice.
  • KANG, E., & Hwang, H. J. (2021). Ethical conducts in qualitative research methodology: Participant observation and interview process. Journal of Research and Publication Ethics, 2(2), 5-10.
  • Alfadhel, M., & Elghonaimy, I. (2025). Traces of local identity in high-rise building façades in Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain. 8th International Conference of Contemporary Affairs in Architecture and Urbanism (ICCAUA-2025) 8-9 May 2025, In Nikoofam, M., & Mobaraki, A. (Eds.), Resilient Urbanism: Architecture, Equity & Innovation (pp. 47–63). Cinius Yayınları. https://doi.org/10.38027/N4ICCAUA2025EN0266 conference proceeding book
  • Fontana, A., & Frey, J. H. (1998). Interviewing: the art of science, collecting and interpreting qualitative materials. Handbook of Qualitative Research. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, 47-78.
  • CRPEP | The Council for Regulating the Practice of Engineering .... (n.d.). Retrieved January 20, 2024, from http://www.crpep.bh.
  • D'Anjou, P. (2011). An ethics of freedom for architectural design practice. Journal of Architectural Education, 64(2), 141-147.
  • CURTIN, L. L. (1996, February). The Caux Round Table Principles for Business. Nursing Management (Springhouse), 27(2), 54???57. https://doi.org/10.1097/00006247-199602000-00016
  • Idowu, S. O., Capaldi, N., Zu, L., & Gupta, A. D. (Eds.). (2013). Encyclopedia of corporate social responsibility (Vol. 21). Berlin: Springer.
  • Roberts, D. (2018). Reflect Critically and Act Fearlessly: A Survey of Ethical Codes, Guidance and Access in Built Environment Practice.
  • Ciuk, S., & Latusek, D. (2018). Ethics in qualitative research (pp. 195-213). Springer International Publishing.
  • Qu, S. Q., & Dumay, J. (2011). The qualitative research interview. Qualitative research in accounting & management, 8(3), 238-264.
  • Villalobos-González, E. M. (2020). La construcción social en la práctica de la arquitectura. Una revisión crítica. CONTEXTO. Revista de la Facultad de Arquitectura de la Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, 14(20).
  • Egyptian Innovation Bank. (n.d.). Retrieved January 20, 2024, from https://eib.eg/?lang=en. Ethics in Architectural Practice - Archtoolbox. (n.d.). Retrieved January 17, 2024, from https://www.archtoolbox.com/ethics-in-architectural-practice.
There are 25 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Architectural Design, Architecture (Other)
Journal Section Conference Paper
Authors

Dalia Eldardiry This is me 0000-0002-0317-2743

Kavithasree Suvarna This is me

Mahtab Asvar This is me 0000-0001-7238-9375

Submission Date May 27, 2025
Acceptance Date June 10, 2025
Publication Date December 30, 2025
Published in Issue Year 2025 Volume: 11 Issue: 2

Cite

APA Eldardiry, D., Suvarna, K., & Asvar, M. (2025). Exploring Architectural Ethics and Challenges for Sustainable Practices: A Qualitative Study in Bahrain. A+Arch Design International Journal of Architecture and Design, 11(2), 109-125.


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