Spatial Characteristics of Prayer Rooms in Cafés: A Case Study of Pekanbaru, Indonesia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.30998/lja.v9i2.4693Keywords:
prayer room, cafe, spatial characteristics, commercial building, PekanbaruAbstract
The growing role of cafés as commercial spaces that accommodate various social activities has increased the need for prayer facilities for visitors. While prayer rooms have been widely discussed in the context of mosques, public buildings, and shopping malls, their characteristics in cafés remain largely undocumented. This study aims to identify the characteristics of prayer rooms in cafés in Pekanbaru City, Indonesia, by examining their location, spatial size, and gender separation. A qualitative approach with a descriptive comparative method was employed using five cafés located along Arifin Ahmad Street as case studies. Data were collected through field observations, photographic documentation, and direct measurements of the prayer rooms. The findings reveal that all prayer rooms are located at the rear of the building and positioned adjacent to sanitary facilities, including toilets and ablution areas. The size of the prayer rooms varies considerably, ranging from 1.8 m² to 43.45 m², reflecting different levels of spatial allocation among the cafés. Only one café provides separate prayer spaces for male and female users, while the remaining four cafés use a shared prayer room without physical gender separation. These findings indicate that prayer rooms in cafés are generally provided through adaptive spatial arrangements that respond to limited space and the commercial function of the building. This study offers preliminary documentation of prayer room characteristics in cafés and provides baseline data for future research on spatial quality and the design of prayer facilities in small-scale commercial buildings.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Nurrul Helen, Yohannes Firzal, Indra Kuswoyo, Safridatul ‘Audah, Oriana Paramita Dewi, Laili Dwi Annisa (Author)
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