НеМо: Ukrainian Heritage Monitoring Lab’s Post

Recently, the Ethiopian government initiated a renovation project to preserve and restore Fasil Ghebbi. The restoration involved using traditional materials, such as rough-hewn basalt and lime mortar, to maintain the site's historical authenticity. However, the use of new lime mortar has resulted in a noticeably whiter appearance, sparking public debate. Critics argue that this alteration undermines the site's historical character, while proponents, including architect Fasil Giorghis, explain that the color will naturally weather over time, gradually returning to its original look. The renovation aims to address structural challenges due to aging and environmental factors, ensuring the site's longevity for future generations. Despite differing opinions on the restoration's visual impact, the project underscores the importance of preserving Ethiopia's rich architectural heritage.

A concise passage from the film "Flame in the Sahara" (شعله فی الصحرا 1966): As a researcher, I found it fascinating to observe the comfort conditions established for pedestrians and shopkeepers in this historic Bazaar. The cooling effect of urban textile shading devices serves as a simple and effective passive cooling strategy on an urban scale. This simple solution does not require energy and, above all, creates a pleasant space of light and shadow. Why can't contemporary architecture create such quality with the expenditure of significant financial and energy resources? INTBAU #traditionalArchitecture #passivecooling #الریان #قطر #Qatar

The Larabanga Mosque is a historic mosque located in the village of Larabanga, in the Savannah Region of Ghana. Built in the Sudanese architectural style, it is considered the oldest mosque in Ghana and one of the oldest in West Africa. Key Features: Architecture: The mosque is constructed from adobe with timber supports and features two pyramidal towers, one serving as the mihrab (indicating the direction of Mecca) and the other as a minaret. Its walls are supported by twelve buttresses, characteristic of Sudano-Sahelian architecture. Dimensions: The structure measures approximately 8 meters by 8 meters, reflecting the compact design typical of rural West African mosques. Historical Significance: According to local legend, the mosque was founded in 1421 by an Islamic trader named Ayuba, who was inspired by a divine command in a dream. It has since been a significant spiritual center for the local Muslim community. Cultural Importance: The mosque is often referred to as the "Mecca of West Africa" and serves as a pilgrimage site for Muslims in the region. It also houses an ancient Quran, believed by locals to have been a divine gift in 1650. Conservation Efforts: Over the years, the mosque has undergone several restoration projects to preserve its structure, especially after inappropriate restoration methods in the 1970s led to deterioration. Notably, in the early 2000s, efforts were made to remove damaging cement plaster and restore traditional adobe maintenance techniques. The Larabanga Mosque remains a testament to the rich Islamic heritage and architectural ingenuity of West Africa, attracting visitors and scholars interested in its historical and cultural significance. #Masjid #MasjidAssistant #MasjidManagement #IslamicApps #MosqueTech https://lnkd.in/gwKrmNhk

Book Award TRADITIONAL TSWANA HOUSING Savage+Dodd Architects, Moralo Designs, Visual Communications Initially published in 1984 by the Swedish Council for Building Research, this book is a second edition that offers a valuable study of traditional Tswana housing in Botswana. Authored by Viera and Anita Larsson, the study documents the architecture of rural Botswana, highlighting the use of locally sourced materials such as clay, thatch, and timber. This detailed research, now updated with colour photographs and a new foreword, postscript, and preface, explores the role of women in building these structures and the collective, artistic nature of their work, which has been passed down through generations. The book reflects on the nature of development aid and encourages a deeper dialogue about Africa's indigenous architectural heritage. It calls for recognising and preserving traditional methods, especially as urbanisation and modernisation challenge these practices. The book offers insights into the Tswana way of life by documenting everyday activities, spatial arrangements, and construction techniques, emphasising sustainable building methods that could inform future low-cost housing developments in Africa. The study remains relevant today, serving as a historical record and an inspiration for contemporary architects. Its focus on space-making and the cultural significance of home resonates with broader discussions of architectural heritage and sustainability in Africa. #gifa #jhf #colosseumawards2024 #architecture #heritage

WHY ARE AFRICAN HUTS 🛖 MOSTLY ROUND? They are built to withstand different weather conditions and their rooftop makes them always cool. African architectural philosophy had evolved on the basis of temporary human existence and life in harmony with nature rather than against it. In that regard, Africans deviated from building homes that stand in the way of natural elements like air/wind, water and earth itself. * As the air blows against the hut, it circumvents the cylindrical structure and continues flowing. If the water comes, it finds its way around. And if the earth expands and/or contracts, the rounder structure remains intact. If you ponder on natural concepts, for instance, why tree-trunks cylindrical, then you will grasp the wisdom in this architecture. #weloveafrica🤎 #OneAfrikaOneNation🫶🏻

The Evolution of Mosque Architecture in Qatar: Blending Heritage with Innovation #9 Emergence and Characteristics This mosque space type developed into various forms according to regional climates, building materials, economic and social cultural concerns, and even ruling dynasties. Such diversity and pluralism of the expression of the mosque's religious and social meaning within the natural or manmade surroundings resulted in Spain's introduction of the dual-function concept, where a Friday mosque doubles as a Madrasa. Mosque forms, scales and configurations took on unique settlement characters, responding to the available resources. Throughout history, the mosque became the cradle of civilization, a cultural, educational, health and institutional complex accommodating various social and cultural activities. From its role as a religion and administrative symbol, the mosque continually grew in size, blessing cities with towering minarets, intrinsically adorned with calligraphic and geometric art, complex vaults and domes, stone, wood, and mosaic ornamentations. Considering the Quranic and Hadith's directional spotlight on the essential features of mosque architecture for worship and as a contentious historical aristocrat and administrative institutional symbol, mosque architecture's evolution in Qatar is worth examining. According to Wade, the basic form of the mosque in the early era of Islam was a copy or a direct continuation of the Prophet Muhammad's mosque in Medina. This type of mosque incorporated verandas that served as covered prayer spaces, and open courts that were placed in the vicinity of the ka'bah (the direction of prayer for Muslims), from which it followed the architectural features of the traditional Arab camp, the prototype of permanent Bedouin settlement. This simple form of the mosque's composition dominated early mosque architecture, reflecting the essence of private prayer and community congregational worship.

The erasure of colonial-era architecture, leaving large voids in what many have come to consider as their own intimate heritage – part of their own history – can be seen playing out across Libya. The country’s capital, Tripoli, is going through a similar restoration and modernisation process, albeit a more gradual one and without any incidents of overnight bulldozing. Instead, many heritage and colonial-era buildings in the old medina have been, or are in the process of being, restored. However, Tripoli’s restoration has not been without controversies of its own. To many, it seems to be only a surface-level operation, lacking in expertise to ensure the buildings are preserved authentically. But it is not only experts who should be involved in the restoration of landmarks and important buildings. The engagement of local communities is vital to strike a balance between preserving heritage and challenging the colonial narratives which are often associated with such landmarks. #libya #culturalheritage #controversy #colonialarchitecture #landmarks #restoration #retention #preservation Khalid El Harrouni TinHinane BACHIR-CHERIF Rim Kelouaze Amina Rejeb Hossam Mahdy Jonathan S. Bell Yiannis Avramides

Nestled along the Nile’s banks, Nubian homes are masterpieces of cultural resilience and practical ingenuity, Tomi Abe reports. Built with sun-dried mudbrick, they endure extreme heat while symbolizing a rich heritage that has survived displacement and modernization. These homes rely on natural cooling, with vaulted roofs and thick walls that stabilize temperatures without energy systems. After the Aswan High Dam displaced 50,000 Nubians, traditional construction became a lifeline, preserving identity and community. This architectural wisdom offers timeless lessons for balancing tradition and modern needs. How can these enduring practices inspire solutions in today’s rapidly changing world? Find out!: https://lnkd.in/dWwR5snn ✍🏾 Research & Writeup by Tomi Abe 🔍 Reviewed & Edited by Adetoro Adetayo 🎨 Editorial Images by Tomi Abe #NubianHeritage #AfricanArchitecture #CulturalResilience #SustainableDesign #TraditionalHomes #AfricanCulture #ClimateAdaptation #BuildingWisdom #HeritagePreservation #AfricanInnovation #Susinsight

Situated on an island in Siberia's Lake Tere-Khol, Por-Bazhyn is a relic of ancient Uyghur architecture, established circa 777 AD. Occupying an area of 3 hectares and fortified by walls that reach up to 10 meters in height, the fortress is organized in a grid pattern indicative of both Uyghur and Tang Dynasty architectural styles. Despite the structural grandeur, the site lacks any artifacts or signs of everyday habitation, which obscures its intended function. Signs of natural catastrophes, such as earthquake impacts and fire remnants, indicate that the site was abruptly deserted. Positioned at an altitude exceeding 1,300 meters in a secluded mountainous region, the strategic or cultural rationale for constructing such a formidable edifice in this location remains a topic of scholarly inquiry and contributes to the enigma surrounding Por-Bazhyn.

The Citadel of Agadir has for over six centuries been a symbol of Agadir’s importance as a trading port, as a nexus between many caravan routes and the Atlantic. Designated a Moroccan historic monument in 1932, the site was devastated by an earthquake in 1960. In 2020, sixty years after that disaster, work began on its restoration. The project included the reconstruction of historic elements such as the fortress or the medina and the creation of a visitor itinerary. The local community was moreover involved at every stage of the process. The project also included innovative earthquake-proof building techniques reviving vernacular systems and the use of local materials, stimulating the economy of the region and preserving its heritage. In Journal of Traditional Building, Architecture and Urbanism This magazine is aimed at all those people and institutions interested in traditional building, architecture and urbanism. Its articles are related to the theory and practice of these disciplines. Its objective is to promote the creation of places and buildings that are in harmony with the local culture and tradition and that are respectful of the environment and its natural resources. It also aims to provide a better knowledge of the traditional constructive cultures of the various regions of the world and, with it, a greater respect towards them that may contribute to their better preservation and to their continuity. https://lnkd.in/eTUtNxFv