CHALLENGES AND FUTURE PROSPECT OF ADAPTIVE REUSE AS POTENTIAL TO SUSTAIN THE AUTHENTICITY OF FACADE IN TOWER HOUSES IN OLD SANA'A

Abstract

The study aims to assess how adaptive reuse is applied in Old Sana'a, Yemen, to ensure that
historic sites remain authentic. The prime focus of the study is on the traditional quarter
(Hara) in old Sana'a. Based on the review of literature this study has highlighted the main
challenges and future prospects from the bird eye view of theory and practice. Although old
Sana'a have been recognized by UNESCO World Heritage Convention as UNESCO World
Heritage Site after evaluated by the World Heritage Committee on 2008, there are still lack of
researches or studies on old Sana'a, especially the research on adaptive reuse of Tower houses
in Hara. Hence, it is recommended to study the authentic value of tower house in old Sana’a.
It is further motivated to evaluate the existing building conditions after applying adaptive
reuse, degree of intervention on the original facade of tower houses in old Sana'a.