ArCHIAM Brochure 2014

CENTRE FOR THE STUDY OF ARCHITECTURE AND CULTURAL HERITAGE OF INDIA, ARABIA AND THE MAGHREB

The ArCHIAM Centre is an interdisciplinary forum currently based at Nottingham Trent University and Manchester Metropolitan University which brings together a wide range of researchers interested in the study of the architecture and cultural heritage of India, Arabia and the Maghreb.

Cutting across traditional disciplinary boundaries, the Centre provides an exciting opportunity for the study of both historical and contemporary phenomenon with an aim of developing theoretical positions but also through practice-based research.

ArCHIAM welcomes possibilities of establishing connections across the wider academic and professional communities through doctoral research programmes, collaborations and networking opportunities.

CENTRE FOR THE STUDY OF

ARCHITECTURE AND CULTURAL HERITAGE OF INDIA, ARABIA AND THE MAGHREB RESEARCH TEAM PROF SOUMYEN BANDYOPADHYAY Director

DR GIAMILA QUATTRONE Research Fellow

DR MARTIN S. GOFFRILLER Research Fellow

PAUL MACMAHON Research Assistant

JONATHAN WREN Research Assistant

HAITHAM AL-ABRI PhD Candidate

Š Nottingham Trent University 2014

PROF SOUMYEN BANDYOPADHYAY Director

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The centre for the study of

Architecture and Cultural Heritage of India, Arabia and the Maghreb As the populations of the world grow and develop the quickening pace of progress has in many instances become a threat to the legacy of many of the world’s cultures. The rapid expansion of cities and infrastructure can exert great pressures on the fabric of the past, while changing mentalities and complex notions of modernity often lead peoples to the abandonment of their traditional lifestyles and their built environments. The processes of globalisation are the greatest contributor to social

change and transformation, making the protection of the cultural heritage a paramount objective to the retention of a people’s shared cultural identity.

With this in mind, the Centre for the Study of Architecture and Cultural Heritage of India, Arabia and the Maghreb (ArCHIAM), based at Nottingham Trent University and Manchester Metropolitan University, UK, aims to provide an interdisciplinary research platform for historical and contemporary cultural developments across three 3

interconnected global regions, with the goal to further our understanding of these spheres and aid in the preservation of the past.

The Centre consists of an international team of researchers from a variety of academic backgrounds in architecture, social history, architectural technology, archaeology, conservation and digital documentation, among others. In this sense one of the

fundamental themes underlying the Centre’s research aims is the multidisciplinary study of how human culture and social practices are expressed spatially, and how in turn space affects the cultural practices of groups and communities. This philosophy of social and cultural sensitivity merged with the focus on spatial identities forms the epistemological backbone of our heritage management efforts.

ArCHIAM | INTRODUCTION

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Documentation and Analysis

Documentation and Analysis

ArCHIAM has accumulated a high level of expertise in the documentation of heritage sites, in close cooperation with government and academic institutions, to ensure and facilitate the preservation of the architectural and urban remains of the past. As part of the documentation efforts the ArCHIAM team – composed of researchers in the fields of architecture, archaeology and anthropology – is focused on a high degree of economic and social sustainability by including the local stakeholder

communities into the process at all stages.

The ArCHIAM team produces documentation material of the highest quality and detail, creating drawings based on measured sketches and other architectural and anthropological data collected on site. Apart from architectural drawings the centre has focused on the application of a variety of survey techniques including microcopter aerial photography and GIS analysis.

The High Definition resolution ArCHIAM | DOCUMENTATION AND ANALYSIS

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images provided by our micro aerial vehicle (MAV) delivers highly selective imagery of the site from any desired angle and time of day, therefore greatly enhancing the documentation aspect of the work.

To improve accuracy of measured drawings GPS points are taken at various locations within and around the relevant site in order to not only accurately delineate the spatial geometry of the built environment, but also in order to produce 3D digital elevation

models (DEM) from which to determine environmental factors such as watersheds and topography.

Fieldwork and data collection are followed by an extensive and professionalised analysis of

the gathered materials. On-site sketches are transferred to CAD plans and GIS and GPS data are collated to produce valuable contextual and environmental studies for the future preservation and development of the respective site.

ArCHIAM | DOCUMENTATION AND ANALYSIS

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Heritage Management and Development

Heritage Management and Development As an academic research centre ArCHIAM is intent on providing valuable contributions of scientific rigour and quality of the highest standards to the field of heritage management. In this sense, apart from concentrating exclusively on the built fabric the research envelope is extended to the surrounding areas and countryside to establish a holistic picture of the site and determine the historical and current contexts thereof. Constant stakeholder feedback and extensive community involvement ensure

a sustainable and sensitive approach to the preservation and reuse of cultural heritage.

Beyond the often urgent consolidation of a site’s rapidly decaying architectural fabric, ArCHIAM’s Heritage Management Plans (HMPs) focus on assessing the potential future uses or re-uses of the site or its structures. In the case of Oman’s traditional oasis settlements, for example, the focus has tended to be on the partial re-use of the settlements in a sustainable ArCHIAM | HERITAGE MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT

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and non-disruptive manner.

Re-integrating these ancient locations into the country’s economic life by re-opening markets and encouraging the continuation of local agricultural practices by restoring irrigation channels and wells.

Architectural interventions on sites and structures are always proposed in accordance with

international conventions accorded by the ICOMOS Heritage Charters. In this sense the preservation of a site’s authenticity by clearly distinguishing original from new fabric is of the utmost importance.

Architectural design precedents from comparable sites elsewhere in the world figure prominently in our development proposals.

ArCHIAM | HERITAGE MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT

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Visualisation and Outreach

Visualisation and Outreach

In addition to high quality management plans ArCHIAM has been accumulating significant photographic records of a number of relevant sites. In addition to these the team has been producing 3D visualisations, architectural renders, virtual reconstructions and walkthroughs to better illustrate past manifestations of the relevant structures and their possible future uses. These images, apart from constituting an invaluable record for the state of preservation of a given structure of settlement, also

have great educational value and have been displayed in museums and exhibitions.

ArCHIAM’s fieldwork campaigns are normally carried out in collaboration with local institutions who participate in the data collection process.

This offers the opportunity to provide practical training and a hands-on experience to collaborators and stakeholders, contributing to capacity building.

Past development plans have taken into account the educational aspect of ArCHIAM | VISUALISATION AND OUTREACH

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heritage preservation by promoting the establishment of crafts workshops and related businesses and institutions.

ArCHIAM | VISUALISATION AND OUTREACH

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Tunisia Giamila Quattrone Research areas Discarded Oasis Landscapes of South Tunisia Cultural Arguments for the Sustainable Innovation of Nefta’s Traditional Technical Culture Settlement Patterns and Building Techniques Between Continuity and Change

Photos: Giamila Quattrone

ArCHIAM | RESEARCH AREAS

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Oman Soumyen Bandyopadhyay Haitham al-Abri Research areas Oasis Settlements of Oman and the Middle East: Urban Structure, Morphology, Typology Arab-Omani Social History, Tribal Organisation, Islamic and pre-Islamic Cultural and Social Ideas Modern Arab and Omani Built Environments Conservation and Development within Historical Context

Photos: ArCHIAM, Clive Gracey

ArCHIAM | RESEARCH AREAS

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Spain Martin S. Goffriller Research areas Tribal Landscapes of Islamic Spain Fortification and Territorial Control Identity Formation in Bounded Geographies of Islands and Oases

Photos: Martin S. Goffriller

ArCHIAM | RESEARCH AREAS

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Bangladesh Mohammad Habib Reza Soumyen Bandyopadhyay Research areas Morphological Analysis of Buddhist Architecture Evolution of Panchayana Temple Modernity in South Asia

Photos: Md Abdullh Al Zobair, Sazzadur Rasheed, Hafizur Rahaman, Sinead Buckney, Md Akhlas Uddin

ArCHIAM | RESEARCH AREAS

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India Soumyen Bandyopadhyay Mohammad Habib Reza Research areas Modernity in Indian Architecture Nek Chand’s Rock Garden in Chandigarh Narrative in Modern Indian Architecture

Photos: Soumyen Bandyopadhyay, James Traynor

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Sri Lanka Nishan Wijetunge Soumyen Bandyopadhyay Research areas Domestic Architecture of the Elites in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) Post-Colonial Architecture Development of Sri Lankan Architecture From Independence to Globalization

Photos: Nishan Wijetunge

ArCHIAM | RESEARCH AREAS

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CENTRE FOR THE STUDY OF ARCHITECTURE AND CULTURAL HERITAGE OF INDIA, ARABIA AND THE MAGHREB www.archiam-centre.com | info@archiam.org Nottingham Trent University Maudslay 202, Goldsmith Street Nottingham NG1 4BU Phone: +44 (0) 115 848 2776

Manchester Metropolitan University Chatham 707, Cavendish Street Manchester M15 6BR Phone: +44 (0) 161 247 6932