A challenge to contextualize an architectural intervention in an historic city : case study : Madinat al-Zahra

This thesis proposes a contextually sensitive architectural intervention in Madinat al-Zahra without compromising the character and significance of the historic setting. Madinat al-Zahra ("City of the Rose" in Spain) was a palace city built in 936 CE by Abd al-Rahman III. Covering 112ha, the city was buried and forgotten for 900 years until excavation started in 1911. This city was a laboratory for experimentation with architectural typologies, and was "the point of origin of most housing types of subsequent periods in Andalucia and the Near East." The most predominant type is the courtyard house, which is still relevant to the contemporary domestic life in the region. Today, only 10% of the city has been excavated. This thesis demonstrates the significance of context-specific responses in historic settings by designing and inserting an architectural intervention that responds to Madinat al-Zahra's topography, typology, climate, surrounding and past culture. The intent of this intervention is to revive the memory of the city by welcoming scholars, archaeologists, and conservation teams to professionally aid the excavation and conservation missions. Its intent is also to offer tourists, students and the general public an opportunity to engage in a culturally immersive, informative and fun experience to entice them to financially assist these missions.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Architecture (M.Arch.)

Level thesis:degree_level

Master's

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Architecture

Grantor dc:publisher

Carleton University

Year dc:date.issued

2009

Author dc:creator

• Khalaf, Roha Walid

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright © 2009 the author(s). Theses may be used for non-commercial research, educational, or related academic purposes only. Such uses include personal study, research, scholarship, and teaching. Theses may only be shared by linking to Carleton University Institutional Repository and no part may be used without proper attribution to the author. No part may be used for commercial purposes directly or indirectly via a for-profit platform; no adaptation or derivative works are permitted without consent from the copyright owner.

Language dc:language.iso

en

DOI

10.22215/etd/2009-08567

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:carleton.scholaris.ca:20.500.14718/30977