Rare Figurative Elements on the Facades of Traditional Residential Buildings in Sana'a

(Ali Saleh Al-Ghazali)

---

Abstract

The traditional architecture in Sana'a has received much attention in studies and research in both the structural and the figurative aspects of residential buildings. However, the studies regarding the figurative aspect of traditional residential facades have focused on familiar figurative elements. Individual solutions, which produced rare and innovative figurative elements, are rarely noticed by those who contemplate the facades  of traditional residential buildings. As they are outside of the familiar figurative elements, they have not been generalised or repeated. Also, these rare figurative elements have not received the attention of researchers and those interested in traditional architecture [the problem]. Therefore, this research aims to study the rare figurative elements on the facades of traditional residential buildings with the aim of documenting them scientifically and systematically to prevent them from disappearing and to supplement contemporary architecture with figurative elements derived from the architectural heritage that contributes to achieving civilisational  communication between successive generations [the goal]. Through my research, I have observed the rare traditional figurative elements and classified them in a scientific and systematic manner so that they can be applied to achieve cultural communication.

KEYWORDS
Sana, Sana'ni architecture, rare elements, residential buildings

PDF

References

Abdo, M.A. (2002). Asul Alnamat Albirjia Fi Aleumran Alyamanii Altaqlidii Dirasatan Tahliliatan Mqarnt Lilmaskin Walmasar Fi Madinatay Sanea Washabam Hadarmut 'The Origins of the Burj Pattern in Traditional Yemeni Urbanism a Comparative Analytical Study of Housing and Path in the Cities of Sana'a and Shibam Hadramout'. Master's Dissertation, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt. [in Arabic]
Al Abi, A. (1988).  Mushkilat altarmim wa'iieadat albina' fi albuyut walqusur alsaneania 'The problem of restoration and reconstruction in homes and palaces Sanana'. Yemeni Studies Journal, 33(July-September), 269–70. [in Arabic] 
Al Attar, M. (1983). Tathir altanmiat walmujtamae waltaebir aleumranii ‘The impact of development society and urban expression’. In: Modernity and Heritage Symposium, Sana'a, Yemen, 25–30/05/1983. [in Arabic]
Albertomorphia. Translation: Yemeni Studies and Research Center. (1992). sanea'... maghmuratan fi alramal 'Sana'a... submerged in sand'. Yemeni Studies Journal, 45(January - March), 14–8. [in Arabic]
Al Daly, Dr M. (1989). Khasayis aleamarat al'iislamiat watamayuz almiemar alyamanii 'Characteristics of Islamic architecture and Yemeni architecture'. Yemeni Studies Journal, 35(January-March), 246–87. [in Arabic] 
Al Dailami, A. (1992). Athara almadinat alqadimat fi numuin watushakil almadinat alhalia' The impact of the ancient city on the growth and formation of the present city'. Yemeni Studies Journal, 45(January - March), 259–62. [in Arabic]
Al-Ghazali, A.S. (2005). Tathir Taqniat Wamawadi Albina Aljadidat Ealaa Aleamarat Almahaliyat Bisunea Alyaman 'The Impact of New Building Ttechnologies and Materials on Local Architecture in Sanaa Yemen'. Master's Dissertation, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt. [in Arabic] 
Al Haddad, A.M. (2004). Basatin sanea' alttarikhia... wafaeil alkhayr 'The historic gardens of Sana'a... and the doer of good'. Al-Thawra Newspaper, n/a(14488), 10. [in Arabic]
Al Haddad, Dr A.Y. (1992a). Sanea' Alqadimat Almudamin Alttarikhiat Walhadaria ' Old Sana'a, Historical and Cultural Implications'.  Sana'a, Yemen: Abu Ayman Printing and Publishing. [in Arabic]
Al Haddad, A.Y. (1992b). Almazahir alttarikhiat liltatawur alhudrii limadinat sanea' alqadima 'Historical manifestations of urban development in the old city of Sana'a '.  Yemeni Studies Journal, 45(January-March), 195-206. [in Arabic]
Al Kawkabani, N.Y. (2000). Alaitijahat Almuemariat Alhadithat Fi madinat Sanea Ma Bayn 62-1990m Dirasatan Tahliliat Naqdiatan 'Modern Architectural Trends in the City of Sanaa Between 62-1990AD an Analytical and Critical Study'. Master's Dissertation, Sana'a University, Sana'a, Yemen. [in Arabic]
AL Khatib, M. (1996). Khasayis Tasmim Alshakl Alkharijii Lilmaskan Fi Aleiraq 'Characteristics of the Exterior Design of Housing in Iraq'. Master's Dissertation, University of Technology, Baghdad, Iraq. [in Arabic]
Al-Sabahi, H.M. (1987). Almajmueat Alsakaniat Walmaskin Bimadinat Sanea' Bayn Aleamarat Altaqlidiat Waleamarat Almueasira 'Residential Group and Housing in Sana'a City between Ttraditional Architecture and Contemporary Architecture'. Master's Dissertation, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt. [in Arabic] 
Bonanvan, P and G. Translation: Saleh, H. (1987). Alfatahat Walaghataha Sanea Masar Madinat Earabiat 'Slots and their language Sana'a the Path of an Arab City'. Paris, France: Arab World Institute. [in Arabic]
Heikal, Dr N. (1989). Jawanib min alqiam altashkiliat lifana aleamarat alsaneania' Aspects of plastic values of the art of Sanaa architecture'. Yemeni Studies Journal, 35(Jan-March), 205–45. [in Arabic]
Hirschi, S. and M.  (1983). L’architecture Au Yemen Du Nord. Paris, France:  Berger LevRault. 
Ibrahim, Dr A. (1982). Tasil Alqiam Alhadariat Fi Bina' Blmadinat Al'iislamiat Almueasira 'Rooting Cultural Values in Building the Contemporary Islamic City'. Cairo, Egypt: Center for Planning and Architectural Studies. [in Arabic]
Lewcock, R. (1987). The Old Walled City of Sana’a. Second impression. Paris, France: Printed in Belgium.
Marisho, P. Translation: Saleh, H. (a-1987). Sanea Masar Madinat Earabia 'Sana'a the Path of an Arab City'. Paris, France: Arab World Institute. [in Arabic]
Marisho, P. Translation: Saleh, H. (b-1987). Alhadayiq Aleumrania  Sanea Masar Madinat Earabia 'Urban parks  Sana'a  the path of an Arab City'. Paris, France: Arab World Institute. [in Arabic]
Organization of Islamic Cities and Capitals. (2005). Sanea Ususu Altasmim Almuemariu Waltakhtit Alhudria Fi Aleusur Aliislamiat Almukhtalifa 'Sanaa the Foundations of Architectural Design and Urban Planning in Different Islamic Eras'. Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: Organization of Islamic Cities and Capitals. [in Arabic]
Paul, J.C. Translation: Alsiqaf, E. and Mermeh, F. (1992). Amma 'iidha ghiarana kl shay fi albayt 'But if we change everything in the house'. Yemeni Studies Journal, 45(January - March), 252-258. [in Arabic]
Smithies, K.W. Translation: Alhasin, M. (1988). Usus Altasmim Fi Aleamara' Foundations of Design in Architecture'. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: King Saud University for Scientific Publishing and Press. [in Arabic]
Taher, Dr A. (2002). Maenaa alshakl fi wajihat almabnaa alsaneanii qara'atan tahliliatan lawajihat almabnaa alsaknii alsaneani ' The meaning of the shape in the façade of the Sanani building an analytical reading of the facade of the Sana`i residential building'. In: The Yemeni Culture Symposium During the Forty Years The Constant and Changing Dialectic, The 19th Sana'a International Book Fair, Sanaa, Yemen, 9/29 - 02/10/2002. [in Arabic]
Talab, A. (1989). Mumizat almawadi almustakhdimat fi aleamarat alsakaniat bisunaea alqadima' Characteristics of materials used in residential architecture in old Sanaa'. Yemeni Studies Journal, 35(January-March), 288–92. [in Arabic]