Restoration of the Amiriya Complex
Ancient architecture is an important part of any culture. Not only does it symbolize the culture and its values, it unifies the whole community. Moreover, a building or a structure can not stay the same overtime. As a result, it is necessary for someone to take the initiative for restoration. One such organization that has successfully taken this burden and has tried to encourage others to be a part of this effort is the Aga Khan Historic Cities rogram (HCP). This organization also runs the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, established in 1977 by His Highness the Aga Khan. This award recognizes examples of architectural excellence that encompasses contemporary design, social housing, community improvement and development, restoration, re-use, and area conservation, as well as landscaping and environmental issues. One of the recipient of this award was the Amiriya complex.
BEFORE & AFTER
The sixteenth century Amiriya complex, extraordinary in both its structure and its decoration, represents one of the richest and most complex architectural styles of Yemen Tahirid dynasty. Twenty-five years ago the building was in a state of extreme dilapidation; it is now completely restored through a remarkable project that has seen the recovery and revival of lost techniques of building and ornamentation, including the repair of elaborate carved stuccowork, the restoration of the rich tempera wall paintings, and a revival of the manufacture of qudad, the smooth waterproof plaster so prominent in Yemeni architecture.
The project director developed a well-defined philosophy of restoration at the Amiriya which made pragmatic use of traditional methods of construction, using local stone masons, labour and materials. Over 500 craftsmen and artisans were trained and employed by this project. Scores of them have since gone on to work on the restoration of many other buildings and monuments in the rest of Yemen (including one previous winner of the Aga Khan Award in 2004, the Al-Abbas Mosque). Foreign experts were only employed during the last phase of restoration, dealing with the conservation of the tempera wall paintings. In keeping with the spirit of the project, they have trained local people in the craft.
With its reliance on local knowledge and experience, the restoration of the Amiriya represents a milestone in the protection of cultural heritage in Yemen, and has given an important impetus to the process of restoration and conservation in the country as a whole.
