Fatima Al-Nammari - <div>This paper analyses the three-floor gallery plans of the Abu-Jaber Museum that correspond to the two stages in the evolution of the Abu-Jaber House: 1880, when it was originally constructed to house the families of three affluent brothers; and 2007, when it was rehabilitated into a local heritage museum. Using a multi-method approach of ethnographic observation, space syntax analysis, and interviews, we find that the 2009 spatial and morphological conversion constitutes a certain phenomenological departure from the spatial principles embedded in the original plans. We suggest that this is linked to a predominant approach in the process of adaptive use where the essence of the original spatial configuration is overlooked. We discuss the three-way interaction between spatial structure and its architectural language, interpretations of conservation priorities and curatorial principles.</div><div><br></div><div>Keywords: Space syntax; adaptive use; traditional buildings; phenomenology; heritage museum</div>
Interaction Between Internal Structure and Adaptive Use of Traditional Buildings: Analyzing the Heritage Museum of Abu-Jaber, Jordan
Type
journal article
Year
2015
This paper analyses the three-floor gallery plans of the Abu-Jaber Museum that correspond to the two stages in the evolution of the Abu-Jaber House: 1880, when it was originally constructed to house the families of three affluent brothers; and 2007, when it was rehabilitated into a local heritage museum. Using a multi-method approach of ethnographic observation, space syntax analysis, and interviews, we find that the 2009 spatial and morphological conversion constitutes a certain phenomenological departure from the spatial principles embedded in the original plans. We suggest that this is linked to a predominant approach in the process of adaptive use where the essence of the original spatial configuration is overlooked. We discuss the three-way interaction between spatial structure and its architectural language, interpretations of conservation priorities and curatorial principles.

Keywords: Space syntax; adaptive use; traditional buildings; phenomenology; heritage museum
Citation
Malhis, Shatha and Fatima Al-Nammari. "Interaction Between Internal Structure and Adaptive Use of Traditional Buildings: Analyzing the Heritage Museum of Abu-Jaber, Jordan." Archnet-IJAR: International Journal of Architectural Research, vol. 9, issue 2 (2015): 230-247.
Parent Publications
Authorities
Copyright
Shatha Malhis and Fatima Al-Nammari, licensed under CC BY-NC-ND
Country
Jordan
Language
English
Building Usages
public/cultural
Keywords