Impacts of modernization on historical urban squares’ Identity: Case study of Al Marjeh Square, 2020
Abstract:
“Cities reflect as well as shape their inhabitant’s values and outlooks in various ways... more Abstract: “Cities reflect as well as shape their inhabitant’s values and outlooks in various ways” (Bell & De shalit, 2011) Cities and their built environment are reflections of the cultural structure and the dynamics of local identity. hence, they are clearly revealing history, religious and ethnic settings of the region. the difference between each region’s environment, architecture, and beliefs are what creates the place’s identity and makes it unique. The middle east region has been known for its architectural and urban legacy, where inhabitants were raised to preserve and praise it. At the end of the 20th-century middle eastern countries have witnessed radical changes on several levels: economic, political, and social. The emergence of modernization and globalization policies in such region have affected it negatively, changed the region’s architectural and urban character from traditional (vernacular) to modern, and that date was a turning point of the region’s history. This paper aims to explain the impact of modern urban planning practices by foreign urban planners on the historical identity of Damascus city and its historical urban square “Al Marjeh square”, how modern “functional” masterplans could determine the fate of historical buildings and the architectural style of the city. Finally, the paper will draw on criticisms by activists, writers and architects who raised their voices to resist the concept of “modern functional city” Keywords: Urban planning, Modernization, City identity, Historical buildings, Criticism.
Future of Sustainable Architecture: Rethinking COVID-19 a Pandemic or turning point?, 2020
Abstract:
Sustainability as a concept has been known since the recognition of tangible and intang... more Abstract: Sustainability as a concept has been known since the recognition of tangible and intangible needs to survive. It aims at encouraging architects to frame their design decisions in terms of environmental, social, economic, and cultural impact for the long-term. taking into consideration the present situation to meet people’s needs, and to ensure the future for coming generations. Combined, the rapid development of technologies and consumption branding concept in architectural designs have made implementing sustainability methods while designing and constructing process a must to reduce energy consumption and its impact on the environment. Accordingly, the European Union was planning that by 2020 new buildings will be nearly zero energy buildings, after the announcement that is accounting buildings for 40% of total energy consumption. The recent COVID-19 outbreak on that date made architects and urban planners raise questions about the future of sustainable architecture. Will this pandemic reshape our built environment to become more sustainable or vice versa? And what is the role of architecture during epidemics and post-pandemic world? This paper aims to discuss the future of sustainable architecture taking into consideration the present situation of Coronavirus pandemic, and how this pandemic could reshape our cities, buildings and interiors. Finally, the paper will draw on the COVID-19 impact on people’s daily habits in the built environment.
Energy-efficient building design guide: Design strategies for office buildings in a temperate-dry climate. , 2020
Abstract:
Building sector has been accounted for 40% of total energy consumption in the European ... more Abstract: Building sector has been accounted for 40% of total energy consumption in the European Union and the United States. Accordingly, building companies and governments are responding to make new buildings self-sufficient and to become “nearly zero-energy buildings”. Implementing passive environmental design strategies, local resources, and sustainability principles have become a must to enhance building’s efficiency. Indeed, buildings’ performance change according to the climatic zones. Considering vernacular architecture principles while designing, constructing, and orienting buildings would help reducing energy consumption, enhance indoor and workspace quality. HVAC systems and artificial lighting are taking the biggest share of energy consumption in office buildings. Hence, heating, ventilating and indoor lighting are among the most issues that could arise during design process to tackle. This paper will draw on sustainability principles referencing from vernacular architecture to discuss office buildings’ design strategies in temperate dry climate. The paper also aims to review design process from the settlement stage to envelope implementation. Finally, it will consider climate adaptation, and spaces usage to reduce energy consumption, minimize the impact on the environment, and respect the surrounding nature to achieve sustainable architecture goals. Keywords: Energy-efficient buildings, office buildings, temperate-dry climate, sustainable architecture, passive design.
The emergence of advanced technologies, globalization and modernization policies has affected arc... more The emergence of advanced technologies, globalization and modernization policies has affected architectural and urban practices negatively. Nowadays, buildings are considered the major source of greenhouse gas emissions and global warming. The urgent need to reduce energy consumption and design more self-sufficient buildings have made some countries comply with the Kyoto protocol. The directive of building’s energy performance (EPBD, 2002) that was published in 2002 has emphasized two aspects: reducing energy consumption and improving energy efficiency in buildings. Moreover, the published recast of the directive (2010) has decided that all buildings after 2020 have to be self-sufficient ‘nearly-zero energy’ buildings. Nevertheless, the building sector in Syria is accounted for 50% of total energy consumption. Furthermore, Syria is relying on fossil fuels to generate energy since the country has yet to develop renewable energy capacity. Nowadays, the energy sector is in chaos due to political conflict. Therefore, architects should enhance building performance and design energy-efficient buildings that can be achieved by referencing vernacular, regional strategies and understanding the dynamics of the region’s inhabitants to achieve environmental sustainability goals and to create meaningful places. This dissertation is drawing on damascene houses, accordingly, a comprehensive analysis of the vernacular architecture and modern architecture of the city is conducted to propose an energy-efficient, regional design guide for the hot-arid climate of the region. Hence, the dissertation starts with discussing a brief contextualization of the previously done literature, it continues with the second chapter, which is providing a comprehensive analysis of the vernacular dwellings in Damascus in terms of the early settlements and the implemented regional, passive strategies. The third chapter is discussing regionalism in architecture, architectural identity, and the socio-cultural aspects that are affecting energy consumption. Thus, the chapter is investigating the tangible and intangible dimensions of Damascene buildings, besides; the abandoned vernacular strategies are discussed. After the first three chapters, the data is collected to propose design strategies in chapter four that could cope with the user(s) and the climate. Finally, a new design that is relying on an existing representative case is proposed. Thus, the dissertation aims to provide an energy-efficient, regional guide model for architects to follow.
Impacts of modernization on historical urban squares’ Identity: Case study of Al Marjeh Square, 2020
Abstract:
“Cities reflect as well as shape their inhabitant’s values and outlooks in various ways... more Abstract: “Cities reflect as well as shape their inhabitant’s values and outlooks in various ways” (Bell & De shalit, 2011) Cities and their built environment are reflections of the cultural structure and the dynamics of local identity. hence, they are clearly revealing history, religious and ethnic settings of the region. the difference between each region’s environment, architecture, and beliefs are what creates the place’s identity and makes it unique. The middle east region has been known for its architectural and urban legacy, where inhabitants were raised to preserve and praise it. At the end of the 20th-century middle eastern countries have witnessed radical changes on several levels: economic, political, and social. The emergence of modernization and globalization policies in such region have affected it negatively, changed the region’s architectural and urban character from traditional (vernacular) to modern, and that date was a turning point of the region’s history. This paper aims to explain the impact of modern urban planning practices by foreign urban planners on the historical identity of Damascus city and its historical urban square “Al Marjeh square”, how modern “functional” masterplans could determine the fate of historical buildings and the architectural style of the city. Finally, the paper will draw on criticisms by activists, writers and architects who raised their voices to resist the concept of “modern functional city” Keywords: Urban planning, Modernization, City identity, Historical buildings, Criticism.
Future of Sustainable Architecture: Rethinking COVID-19 a Pandemic or turning point?, 2020
Abstract:
Sustainability as a concept has been known since the recognition of tangible and intang... more Abstract: Sustainability as a concept has been known since the recognition of tangible and intangible needs to survive. It aims at encouraging architects to frame their design decisions in terms of environmental, social, economic, and cultural impact for the long-term. taking into consideration the present situation to meet people’s needs, and to ensure the future for coming generations. Combined, the rapid development of technologies and consumption branding concept in architectural designs have made implementing sustainability methods while designing and constructing process a must to reduce energy consumption and its impact on the environment. Accordingly, the European Union was planning that by 2020 new buildings will be nearly zero energy buildings, after the announcement that is accounting buildings for 40% of total energy consumption. The recent COVID-19 outbreak on that date made architects and urban planners raise questions about the future of sustainable architecture. Will this pandemic reshape our built environment to become more sustainable or vice versa? And what is the role of architecture during epidemics and post-pandemic world? This paper aims to discuss the future of sustainable architecture taking into consideration the present situation of Coronavirus pandemic, and how this pandemic could reshape our cities, buildings and interiors. Finally, the paper will draw on the COVID-19 impact on people’s daily habits in the built environment.
Energy-efficient building design guide: Design strategies for office buildings in a temperate-dry climate. , 2020
Abstract:
Building sector has been accounted for 40% of total energy consumption in the European ... more Abstract: Building sector has been accounted for 40% of total energy consumption in the European Union and the United States. Accordingly, building companies and governments are responding to make new buildings self-sufficient and to become “nearly zero-energy buildings”. Implementing passive environmental design strategies, local resources, and sustainability principles have become a must to enhance building’s efficiency. Indeed, buildings’ performance change according to the climatic zones. Considering vernacular architecture principles while designing, constructing, and orienting buildings would help reducing energy consumption, enhance indoor and workspace quality. HVAC systems and artificial lighting are taking the biggest share of energy consumption in office buildings. Hence, heating, ventilating and indoor lighting are among the most issues that could arise during design process to tackle. This paper will draw on sustainability principles referencing from vernacular architecture to discuss office buildings’ design strategies in temperate dry climate. The paper also aims to review design process from the settlement stage to envelope implementation. Finally, it will consider climate adaptation, and spaces usage to reduce energy consumption, minimize the impact on the environment, and respect the surrounding nature to achieve sustainable architecture goals. Keywords: Energy-efficient buildings, office buildings, temperate-dry climate, sustainable architecture, passive design.
The emergence of advanced technologies, globalization and modernization policies has affected arc... more The emergence of advanced technologies, globalization and modernization policies has affected architectural and urban practices negatively. Nowadays, buildings are considered the major source of greenhouse gas emissions and global warming. The urgent need to reduce energy consumption and design more self-sufficient buildings have made some countries comply with the Kyoto protocol. The directive of building’s energy performance (EPBD, 2002) that was published in 2002 has emphasized two aspects: reducing energy consumption and improving energy efficiency in buildings. Moreover, the published recast of the directive (2010) has decided that all buildings after 2020 have to be self-sufficient ‘nearly-zero energy’ buildings. Nevertheless, the building sector in Syria is accounted for 50% of total energy consumption. Furthermore, Syria is relying on fossil fuels to generate energy since the country has yet to develop renewable energy capacity. Nowadays, the energy sector is in chaos due to political conflict. Therefore, architects should enhance building performance and design energy-efficient buildings that can be achieved by referencing vernacular, regional strategies and understanding the dynamics of the region’s inhabitants to achieve environmental sustainability goals and to create meaningful places. This dissertation is drawing on damascene houses, accordingly, a comprehensive analysis of the vernacular architecture and modern architecture of the city is conducted to propose an energy-efficient, regional design guide for the hot-arid climate of the region. Hence, the dissertation starts with discussing a brief contextualization of the previously done literature, it continues with the second chapter, which is providing a comprehensive analysis of the vernacular dwellings in Damascus in terms of the early settlements and the implemented regional, passive strategies. The third chapter is discussing regionalism in architecture, architectural identity, and the socio-cultural aspects that are affecting energy consumption. Thus, the chapter is investigating the tangible and intangible dimensions of Damascene buildings, besides; the abandoned vernacular strategies are discussed. After the first three chapters, the data is collected to propose design strategies in chapter four that could cope with the user(s) and the climate. Finally, a new design that is relying on an existing representative case is proposed. Thus, the dissertation aims to provide an energy-efficient, regional guide model for architects to follow.
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Papers by Ghaid Ateek
“Cities reflect as well as shape their inhabitant’s values and outlooks in various ways” (Bell & De shalit, 2011)
Cities and their built environment are reflections of the cultural structure and the dynamics of local identity. hence, they are clearly revealing history, religious and ethnic settings of the region. the difference between each region’s environment, architecture, and beliefs are what creates the place’s identity and makes it unique. The middle east region has been known for its architectural and urban legacy, where inhabitants were raised to preserve and praise it. At the end of the 20th-century middle eastern countries have witnessed radical changes on several levels: economic, political, and social. The emergence of modernization and globalization policies in such region have affected it negatively, changed the region’s architectural and urban character from traditional (vernacular) to modern, and that date was a turning point of the region’s history. This paper aims to explain the impact of modern urban planning practices by foreign urban planners on the historical identity of Damascus city and its historical urban square “Al Marjeh square”, how modern “functional” masterplans could determine the fate of historical buildings and the architectural style of the city. Finally, the paper will draw on criticisms by activists, writers and architects who raised their voices to resist the concept of “modern functional city”
Keywords: Urban planning, Modernization, City identity, Historical buildings, Criticism.
Sustainability as a concept has been known since the recognition of tangible and intangible needs to survive. It aims at encouraging architects to frame their design decisions in terms of environmental, social, economic, and cultural impact for the long-term. taking into consideration the present situation to meet people’s needs, and to ensure the future for coming generations. Combined, the rapid development of technologies and consumption branding concept in architectural designs have made implementing sustainability methods while designing and constructing process a must to reduce energy consumption and its impact on the environment. Accordingly, the European Union was planning that by 2020 new buildings will be nearly zero energy buildings, after the announcement that is accounting buildings for 40% of total energy consumption. The recent COVID-19 outbreak on that date made architects and urban planners raise questions about the future of sustainable architecture. Will this pandemic reshape our built environment to become more sustainable or vice versa? And what is the role of architecture during epidemics and post-pandemic world? This paper aims to discuss the future of sustainable architecture taking into consideration the present situation of Coronavirus pandemic, and how this pandemic could reshape our cities, buildings and interiors. Finally, the paper will draw on the COVID-19 impact on people’s daily habits in the built environment.
Keywords: Sustainable Architecture, COVID-19, Future of sustainability, Post-pandemic architecture, Independent buildings.
Building sector has been accounted for 40% of total energy consumption in the European Union and the United States. Accordingly, building companies and governments are responding to make new buildings self-sufficient and to become “nearly zero-energy buildings”. Implementing passive environmental design strategies, local resources, and sustainability principles have become a must to enhance building’s efficiency. Indeed, buildings’ performance change according to the climatic zones. Considering vernacular architecture principles while designing, constructing, and orienting buildings would help reducing energy consumption, enhance indoor and workspace quality. HVAC systems and artificial lighting are taking the biggest share of energy consumption in office buildings. Hence, heating, ventilating and indoor lighting are among the most issues that could arise during design process to tackle. This paper will draw on sustainability principles referencing from vernacular architecture to discuss office buildings’ design strategies in temperate dry climate. The paper also aims to review design process from the settlement stage to envelope implementation. Finally, it will consider climate adaptation, and spaces usage to reduce energy consumption, minimize the impact on the environment, and respect the surrounding nature to achieve sustainable architecture goals.
Keywords: Energy-efficient buildings, office buildings, temperate-dry climate, sustainable architecture, passive design.
Thesis Chapters by Ghaid Ateek
This dissertation is drawing on damascene houses, accordingly, a comprehensive analysis of the vernacular architecture and modern architecture of the city is conducted to propose an energy-efficient, regional design guide for the hot-arid climate of the region. Hence, the dissertation starts with discussing a brief contextualization of the previously done literature, it continues with the second chapter, which is providing a comprehensive analysis of the vernacular dwellings in Damascus in terms of the early settlements and the implemented regional, passive strategies. The third chapter is discussing regionalism in architecture, architectural identity, and the socio-cultural aspects that are affecting energy consumption. Thus, the chapter is investigating the tangible and intangible dimensions of Damascene buildings, besides; the abandoned vernacular strategies are discussed. After the first three chapters, the data is collected to propose design strategies in chapter four that could cope with the user(s) and the climate. Finally, a new design that is relying on an existing representative case is proposed. Thus, the dissertation aims to provide an energy-efficient, regional guide model for architects to follow.
Keywords: Energy-efficiency, Regional architecture, Vernacular dwellings, Damascene houses, Architectural identity.
“Cities reflect as well as shape their inhabitant’s values and outlooks in various ways” (Bell & De shalit, 2011)
Cities and their built environment are reflections of the cultural structure and the dynamics of local identity. hence, they are clearly revealing history, religious and ethnic settings of the region. the difference between each region’s environment, architecture, and beliefs are what creates the place’s identity and makes it unique. The middle east region has been known for its architectural and urban legacy, where inhabitants were raised to preserve and praise it. At the end of the 20th-century middle eastern countries have witnessed radical changes on several levels: economic, political, and social. The emergence of modernization and globalization policies in such region have affected it negatively, changed the region’s architectural and urban character from traditional (vernacular) to modern, and that date was a turning point of the region’s history. This paper aims to explain the impact of modern urban planning practices by foreign urban planners on the historical identity of Damascus city and its historical urban square “Al Marjeh square”, how modern “functional” masterplans could determine the fate of historical buildings and the architectural style of the city. Finally, the paper will draw on criticisms by activists, writers and architects who raised their voices to resist the concept of “modern functional city”
Keywords: Urban planning, Modernization, City identity, Historical buildings, Criticism.
Sustainability as a concept has been known since the recognition of tangible and intangible needs to survive. It aims at encouraging architects to frame their design decisions in terms of environmental, social, economic, and cultural impact for the long-term. taking into consideration the present situation to meet people’s needs, and to ensure the future for coming generations. Combined, the rapid development of technologies and consumption branding concept in architectural designs have made implementing sustainability methods while designing and constructing process a must to reduce energy consumption and its impact on the environment. Accordingly, the European Union was planning that by 2020 new buildings will be nearly zero energy buildings, after the announcement that is accounting buildings for 40% of total energy consumption. The recent COVID-19 outbreak on that date made architects and urban planners raise questions about the future of sustainable architecture. Will this pandemic reshape our built environment to become more sustainable or vice versa? And what is the role of architecture during epidemics and post-pandemic world? This paper aims to discuss the future of sustainable architecture taking into consideration the present situation of Coronavirus pandemic, and how this pandemic could reshape our cities, buildings and interiors. Finally, the paper will draw on the COVID-19 impact on people’s daily habits in the built environment.
Keywords: Sustainable Architecture, COVID-19, Future of sustainability, Post-pandemic architecture, Independent buildings.
Building sector has been accounted for 40% of total energy consumption in the European Union and the United States. Accordingly, building companies and governments are responding to make new buildings self-sufficient and to become “nearly zero-energy buildings”. Implementing passive environmental design strategies, local resources, and sustainability principles have become a must to enhance building’s efficiency. Indeed, buildings’ performance change according to the climatic zones. Considering vernacular architecture principles while designing, constructing, and orienting buildings would help reducing energy consumption, enhance indoor and workspace quality. HVAC systems and artificial lighting are taking the biggest share of energy consumption in office buildings. Hence, heating, ventilating and indoor lighting are among the most issues that could arise during design process to tackle. This paper will draw on sustainability principles referencing from vernacular architecture to discuss office buildings’ design strategies in temperate dry climate. The paper also aims to review design process from the settlement stage to envelope implementation. Finally, it will consider climate adaptation, and spaces usage to reduce energy consumption, minimize the impact on the environment, and respect the surrounding nature to achieve sustainable architecture goals.
Keywords: Energy-efficient buildings, office buildings, temperate-dry climate, sustainable architecture, passive design.
This dissertation is drawing on damascene houses, accordingly, a comprehensive analysis of the vernacular architecture and modern architecture of the city is conducted to propose an energy-efficient, regional design guide for the hot-arid climate of the region. Hence, the dissertation starts with discussing a brief contextualization of the previously done literature, it continues with the second chapter, which is providing a comprehensive analysis of the vernacular dwellings in Damascus in terms of the early settlements and the implemented regional, passive strategies. The third chapter is discussing regionalism in architecture, architectural identity, and the socio-cultural aspects that are affecting energy consumption. Thus, the chapter is investigating the tangible and intangible dimensions of Damascene buildings, besides; the abandoned vernacular strategies are discussed. After the first three chapters, the data is collected to propose design strategies in chapter four that could cope with the user(s) and the climate. Finally, a new design that is relying on an existing representative case is proposed. Thus, the dissertation aims to provide an energy-efficient, regional guide model for architects to follow.
Keywords: Energy-efficiency, Regional architecture, Vernacular dwellings, Damascene houses, Architectural identity.