Considering luminous ambiance and spatial configuration within the Ottoman old heritage buildings (Algerian palaces) focusing on their modern-day utility
Journal of Cultural Heritage Management and Sustainable Development
ISSN: 2044-1266
Article publication date: 17 May 2022
Abstract
Purpose
The Ottoman cultural legacy in Algeria is made up of a diverse range of architectural structures. The Algerian government strategy in connection with the Ottoman old buildings is to restore them into museums. This study will attempt to present a contrastive analysis between two old palaces being under restoration (refurbishment), and the goal is to propose a museum route by calculating the ambiance aimed at circulating the rooms by visitors.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors analyzed the architectural components of the various entities by observing in situ and taking measurements for a single case study to get a sense of the results for the mid-season (spring and fall). The configuration was next evaluated by modeling the space syntax and combining it with a simulation of daylight luminance, for the period when the authors could not make measurements on-site. The ultimate goal is to combine these findings to suggest the ideal in-route for the future museum.
Findings
This research allowed the authors to propose a museum itinerary adapted to the new vocation of the palaces, which considers the daylight as an element of composition in the spaces of circulation.
Practical implications
The paper proposes solutions to a flow management problem encountered in several similar palaces converted into museums.
Social implications
The study aims to raise questions on the museum, and to preserve such heritage from neglect by giving it a new life more adapted to the needs of the Algerian society.
Originality/value
The authors believe that this contribution will be a creative solution for issues related to the operation of palaces that have been converted into museums.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors want to thank the management of the two palaces, to Pr. Mazouz Said for his courses and to Pr. Belakehal Azeddine for the first step.
Citation
Saraoui, S., Attar, A., Saraoui, R. and Alili, S. (2022), "Considering luminous ambiance and spatial configuration within the Ottoman old heritage buildings (Algerian palaces) focusing on their modern-day utility", Journal of Cultural Heritage Management and Sustainable Development, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/JCHMSD-10-2021-0178
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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