OMAYMAH ALAZHARI

PhD Graduate

PhD program:: XXXVII


supervisor: Prof.ssa Federica Dal Falco
co-supervisor: Prof.ssa Loredana Di Luccio

Thesis title: The Revitalisation of Al Mashrabiya Traditional Craftsmanship Through Artisans' Participation - An Aesthetic Evolution of Traditional Patterns to Parametric Design

Traditional crafts carry aesthetic, functional, and social values, often associated with specific rituals, ceremonies, and social customs. One such craft is المشربية (Al Mashrabiya), a traditional Arab architectural element spread across Islam, renowned for its cultural and social value. It is a lattice of intricately carved geometric patterns historically used to allow air circulation and light control. Despite its decline in popularity in the early twentieth century due to cultural and economic changes, the Mashrabiya's potential for reinterpretation and integration into contemporary product design has become a focal point, bridging tradition and innovation. This fusion in product design presents a dynamic challenge, urging designers to consider products resonating with tradition and contemporary methods. The present research focuses on the geometric pattern designs of the Mashrabiya and the use of modern technology to revive the art form through new practices. This thesis explores its roots in history and culture, its craftsmanship, and the symbolism inherent in its design. The research methodology includes desk and field research under the 'Research About Design' category, focusing on collecting and documenting traditional designs for database archiving with the support of cultural organisations in Saudi Arabia (KSA), Morocco, and Egypt. These techniques aim to streamline the Mashrabiya development process using parametric design parameters and make the production accessible to a global market by running workshops and outlining available digital fabrication methods to the artisans. The outcomes of this study contribute to the activities of organisations, artisans, designers, and educators for the sake of cultural continuity and innovation for the purpose of reviving cultural heritage, fostering cross-cultural appreciation and challenging the boundaries between tradition and modernity in product design.

Research products

11573/1726427 - 2024 - Climate Solutions Based on Cultural Heritage Development: The Case Study of Traditional Geometric Patterns of Mashrabiya Screens
Alazhari, Omaymah; Rosa, Romano - 04d Abstract in atti di convegno
conference: Urban Planning and Architectural Design for Sustainable Development (UPADSD) - 9th Edition 2024 (Firenze, Italia)
book: Urban planning and Architectural design for sustainable development (UPADSD) - 9th Edition 2024 - ()

11573/1722459 - 2024 - Complessità e significati del Mashrabiya nelle arti islamiche tra tradizione e innovazione digitale / Complexity and meanings of the Mashrabiya in the Islamic arts between tradition and digital innovation
Falco, Dal; Federica;Omaymah, ; Alazhari, Omaymah - 01a Articolo in rivista
paper: AGATHÓN (Palermo: Palermo university press) pp. 290-303 - issn: 2532-683X - wos: (0) - scopus: (0)

11573/1690360 - 2023 - From tradition to digital fabrication: safeguarding the 'Mashrabiya' craftsmanship and artisanal communities
Alazhari, Omaymah - 04b Atto di convegno in volume
conference: Senses and sensibility '23 (Malaga, Spain)
book: Design and complexity - ()

11573/1670427 - 2022 - Tessuti riciclati sostenibili basati sulle tende beduine tradizionali
Cito, G. M.; Alazhari, O. - 04b Atto di convegno in volume
conference: DesignIntorno (Alghero)
book: SID Italian Society of Design - Design Intorno Atti della Conferenza annuale della Società Italiana di Design - (9788894338072)

11573/1652721 - 2021 - Bedouin Weaving Techniques: Source of Textile Innovation
Alazhari, Omaymah - 04b Atto di convegno in volume
conference: Human and Social Sciences Research (Online - Ney York, USA)
book: World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology International Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences - ()

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