DOCSLIB.ORG

Architecture and Identity: the Occupation, Use, and Reuse of Mughal Caravanserais

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

Architecture and Identity: The Occupation, Use, and Reuse of Mughal Caravanserais by Jennifer Lynn Campbell A thesis submitted in conformity with the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Department of Anthropology University of Toronto © Copyright by Jennifer Lynn Campbell 2011 Architecture and Identity: The Occupation, Use, and Reuse of Mughal Caravanserais Jennifer Lynn Campbell Doctor of Philosophy Department of Anthropology University of Toronto 2011 Abstract Life, individual and collective, exists in reference to what came before; my research into the life histories of places explores the cultural threads which tie us to places and which allow us to make personal and collective connections between the past and the present. Understanding these life histories helps us understand the value and power historic places have in the world today. This thesis focuses on Mughal caravanserais from northwestern Pakistan, examining how they were initially intended to be used during the Mughal rule of South Asia and how they were reused in the periods that followed (Sikh, Afghani, British, and Pakistani). Caravanserais are walled arcaded buildings where travelers could stop briefly. After the Mughal Empire declined, caravanserais were reused by local people and/or taken over by subsequent governing bodies. Surviving structures are still used today, although their original appearance and functions have been altered to serve new purposes. My research is part of the Caravanserai Networks Project, directed by Dr. Heather Miller, University of Toronto. I develop my survey method through comparative study of two caravanserais, Gor Khuttree and Pakka Khanpur. Using information from architectural survey, historic documents, and photographs, I create three-dimensional architectural models of Gor Khuttree’s occupations. I use access and planning analysis to characterize the use and alteration of the sites’ architecture. Conceptually, I develop a tripartite formation of place: formed, in practice, and in memory. As a multifaceted place, I consider Gor Khuttree’s life history; the occupations, identities, and memories associated with the site through time. ii The City of Peshawar, central to this research, was at the time of writing in Pakistan’s North West Frontier Province. This province was renamed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on April 15th, 2010. This research continues to refer to the province by its former name. This ensures continuity with published documents and the organizational names used by colleagues in Pakistan at the time of research. iii Acknowledgments Working in Pakistan has been the most rewarding thing I have done to date. The generous people, the beautiful country, and the rich history drew me in. My time in Pakistan was made possible by the support of Prof. Dr. Ihsan Ali. Dr. Ali ensured I had access to the sites necessary for my research. He is an inspiration to all those working in the NWFP, and is able to organize and accomplish projects beyond the size and scope of most people’s imaginings. His wonderful wife and their children were generous and welcoming, and I thank them all for this. Each research trip to Pakistan was begun with a happy visit to the AIPS office in Islamabad who arranged for transportation and accommodation. My research in Peshawar was facilitated by a number of friends and colleagues. From Peshawar University I would like to acknowledge and thank Prof. Dr. F. Swati, Prof. Dr. Taj Ali, Mr. Muhammad Naeem Qazi, Mr. Naeem Badshah, and Mr. Asad. During survey seasons at Gor Khuttree I was assisted by a number of people and I thank them all for their help and their friendship: Mr. Ihsanullah Khan, the curator at Gor Khuttree, Mr. Mohammad Zahir, Mr. Mehir Rahman Khalil, Mr. Abid Ur Rehman, Mr. Muhammad Ashfaq Ahmed, Ms. Afshan Barkat, Ms. Neelofar Ghani and many others whom I know only by first name or nick-name: especially Asad, Margit, and Naeem. Special thanks to the Federal Department of Archaeology and Muhammad Bahadar Khan for his assistance with recording Gor Khuttree; Dr. Muhammad Ashraf Khan for encouraging the project to visit and record Pakka Khanpur Serai; and the Provincial Directorate of Archaeology and Museums NWFP and Mr. Saleh Muhammad Khan for supporting our research and providing access to the facilities at Gor Khuttree. I am forever grateful to all those people whose names I do not know; the countless people who shared their tea, showed interest in my work, and encouraged me to enjoy their country. I dedicate this work to you. Many thanks to the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, the Department of Anthropology and the School of Graduate Studies at the University of Toronto, the General Motors Foundation, and the Bekerman Family for the generous funding I received throughout my dissertation. My research would not have been possibly without the guidance and support of Dr. Heather Miller. Heather is always generous with her knowledge, time, resources, support, and editorial comments. I have benefited immeasurably from all of these. I thank her for her patience and her belief in me. She opened the world of South Asia to me; I can not express enough gratitude for this. In addition I would like to thank the members of my committee. Dr. Ted Banning and Dr. Gary Coupland offered insightful comments throughout and labored tirelessly with my commas and colons: thank-you. Dr. Edward Swenson offered insightful and thought provoking comments, reminding me that interpretation is a luxury and a subjective one at that. Finally, I thank Dr. Carla Sinopoli for serving as my external reviewer. I was honored to receive your comments on my dissertation and your generous suggestions for future publications. I aspire in my career to follow the examples set by this collection of researchers and mentors. Last but not least, I thank family and friends. Stephen, Stacey, Gail, Susan, Crystal, Terry, Matthew, Emma, Emily, Jill, Andrew, Trevor, Greg, Lesley, Graydon, Anna, Lauren, Joan, KP, Carla, Jaime, Leah, David, Kathy, Mum, Dad, and so many more; you listened, you debated, you consoled, and you celebrated with me. I could not have done this without you. iv Table of Contents Abstract ....................................................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgments ...................................................................................................................................... iv List of Tables.............................................................................................................................................. ix List of Figures .............................................................................................................................................. x Glossary ................................................................................................................................................. xviii Chapter 1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Approaches ......................................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Results ................................................................................................................................................ 5 1.3 Overview ............................................................................................................................................ 7 Chapter 2 Social Theory and Architecture ................................................................................................... 8 2.1 Social Theory ..................................................................................................................................... 9 2.1.1 Structure and Function ................................................................................................................ 9 2.1.2 Memory and Identity ................................................................................................................. 12 2.1.3 Collective Identities and Post-Colonial Nationalism ................................................................ 18 2.2 Engagements in the Landscape ........................................................................................................ 23 2.2.1 Places Formed ........................................................................................................................... 24 2.2.2 Places in Practice ....................................................................................................................... 24 2.2.3 Places in Memory ...................................................................................................................... 25 2.2.4 Kostof ........................................................................................................................................ 27 2.2.4.1 The Oneness of Architecture .............................................................................................. 28 2.2.4.2 The Setting of Architecture ................................................................................................ 30 2.2.4.3 The Community of Architecture ........................................................................................ 33 2.2.4.4 The Meaning of Architecture ............................................................................................
Recommended publications
  • The Sasanian Tradition in ʽabbāsid Art: Squinch Fragmentation As The

    The Sasanian Tradition in ʽabbāsid Art: Squinch Fragmentation As The

    The Sasanian Tradition in ʽAbbāsid Art: squinch fragmentation as The structural origin of the muqarnas La tradición sasánida en el arte ʿabbāssí: la fragmentación de la trompa de esquina como origen estructural de la decoración de muqarnas A tradição sassânida na arte abássida: a fragmentação do arco de canto como origem estrutural da decoração das Muqarnas Alicia CARRILLO1 Abstract: Islamic architecture presents a three-dimensional decoration system known as muqarnas. An original system created in the Near East between the second/eighth and the fourth/tenth centuries due to the fragmentation of the squinche, but it was in the fourth/eleventh century when it turned into a basic element, not only all along the Islamic territory but also in the Islamic vocabulary. However, the origin and shape of muqarnas has not been thoroughly considered by Historiography. This research tries to prove the importance of Sasanian Art in the aesthetics creation of muqarnas. Keywords: Islamic architecture – Tripartite squinches – Muqarnas –Sasanian – Middle Ages – ʽAbbāsid Caliphate. Resumen: La arquitectura islámica presenta un mecanismo de decoración tridimensional conocido como decoración de muqarnas. Un sistema novedoso creado en el Próximo Oriente entre los siglos II/VIII y IV/X a partir de la fragmentación de la trompa de esquina, y que en el siglo XI se extendió por toda la geografía del Islam para formar parte del vocabulario del arte islámico. A pesar de su importancia y amplio desarrollo, la historiografía no se ha detenido especialmente en el origen formal de la decoración de muqarnas y por ello, este estudio pone de manifiesto la influencia del arte sasánida en su concepción estética durante el Califato ʿabbāssí.
  • Harem Fantasies and Music Videos: Contemporary Orientalist Representation

    Harem Fantasies and Music Videos: Contemporary Orientalist Representation

    W&M ScholarWorks Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects Theses, Dissertations, & Master Projects 2007 Harem Fantasies and Music Videos: Contemporary Orientalist Representation Maya Ayana Johnson College of William & Mary - Arts & Sciences Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.wm.edu/etd Part of the American Studies Commons, and the Music Commons Recommended Citation Johnson, Maya Ayana, "Harem Fantasies and Music Videos: Contemporary Orientalist Representation" (2007). Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects. Paper 1539626527. https://dx.doi.org/doi:10.21220/s2-nf9f-6h02 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Theses, Dissertations, & Master Projects at W&M ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects by an authorized administrator of W&M ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Harem Fantasies and Music Videos: Contemporary Orientalist Representation Maya Ayana Johnson Richmond, Virginia Master of Arts, Georgetown University, 2004 Bachelor of Arts, George Mason University, 2002 A Thesis presented to the Graduate Faculty of the College of William and Mary in Candidacy for the Degree of Master of Arts American Studies Program The College of William and Mary August 2007 APPROVAL PAGE This Thesis is submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts Maya Ayana Johnson Approved by the Committee, February 2007 y - W ^ ' _■■■■■■ Committee Chair Associate ssor/Grey Gundaker, American Studies William and Mary Associate Professor/Arthur Krrtght, American Studies Cpllege of William and Mary Associate Professor K im b erly Phillips, American Studies College of William and Mary ABSTRACT In recent years, a number of young female pop singers have incorporated into their music video performances dance, costuming, and musical motifs that suggest references to dance, costume, and musical forms from the Orient.
  • Introduction Everyday Coexistence in the Post-Ottoman Space

    Introduction Everyday Coexistence in the Post-Ottoman Space

    Introduction Everyday Coexistence in the Post-Ottoman Space REBECCA BRYANT In 1974 they started tormenting us, for instance we’d pick our apples and they’d come and take them right out of our hands. Because we had property we held on as long as we could, we didn’t want to leave, but fi nally we were afraid of being killed and had to fl ee. … We weren’t able to live there, all night we would stand by the windows waiting to see if they were going to kill us. … When we went to visit [in 2003, after the check- points dividing the island opened], they met us with drums as though nothing had happened. In any case the older elderly people were good, we used to get along with them. We would eat and drink together. —Turkish Cypriot, aged 89, twice displaced from a mixed village in Limassol district, Cyprus In a sophisticated portrayal of the confl ict in Cyprus in the 1960s, Turkish Cypriot director Derviş Zaim’s feature fi lm Shadows and Faces (Zaim 2010) shows the degeneration of relations in one mixed village into intercommunal violence. Zaim is himself a displaced person, and he based his fi lm on his extended family’s experiences of the confl ict and on information gathered from oral sources. Like anthropologist Tone Bringa’s documentary We Are All Neighbours (Bringa 1993), fi lmed at the beginning of the Yugoslav War and showing in real time the division of a village into warring factions, Zaim’s fi lm emphasizes the anticipa- tion of violence and attempts to show that many people, under the right circumstances, could become killers.
  • Caravanserai

    Caravanserai

    THE CARAVANSERAI This game has been designed as an extension kit to the OUTREMER/CROISADES sister games. The kit includes a new map (The Caravanserai), new counters for camels, this set of rules and additional scenarios. When not specified, the default rules of CROISADES apply (movement point allowance, charge rules, etc.). Many thanks to Bob Gingell for proofing these rules and suggesting many valuable enhancements. The Caravanserai – version 1.0 - 1992/2004 1 Table of Contents 1 The Caravanserai Map ........................................................................................................3 1.1 Description ..................................................................................................................................................3 1.2 Flat roofs......................................................................................................................................................3 1.3 The Alep gate...............................................................................................................................................4 1.4 The walls......................................................................................................................................................4 1.5 Terrain Type Summary...............................................................................................................................5 2 Camels....................................................................................................................................6
  • Zero Carbon & Low Energy Housing; Comparative Analysis of Two

    Zero Carbon & Low Energy Housing; Comparative Analysis of Two

    World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology International Journal of Civil, Structural, Construction and Architectural Engineering Vol:8, No:7, 2014 Zero Carbon & Low Energy Housing; Comparative Analysis of Two Persian Vernacular Architectural Solutions to Increase Energy Efficiency N. Poorang II. CLIMATE OF IRAN Abstract—In order to respond the human needs, all regional, As it was mentioned the climate of Iran is varied according social, and economical factors are available to gain residents’ comfort to the vast geographical locations, Fig. 1. Iran is basically and ideal architecture. There is no doubt the thermal comfort has to satisfy people not only for daily and physical activities but also divided into four climatic regions: creating pleasant area for mental activities and relaxing. It costs • Mild – Humid Climate energy and increases greenhouse gas emissions. • Cold Climate Reducing energy use in buildings is a critical component of • Hot – Humid Climate meeting carbon reduction commitments. Hence housing design • Hot – Arid Climate [1]. represents a major opportunity to cut energy use and CO2 emissions. In terms of energy efficiency, it is vital to propose and research Hot-arid Climate prevails in most parts of the central modern design methods for buildings however vernacular Iranian plateau, it receives almost no rain for at least six architecture techniques are proven empirical existing practices which month of a year, and hence it is very dry and hot. In this have to be considered. This research tries to compare two climate, summer is very hot and dry and winter is very cold architectural solution were proposed by Persian vernacular and hard.
  • Developing a Sustainability Plan for Hammams in Morocco

    Developing a Sustainability Plan for Hammams in Morocco

    Worcester Polytechnic Institute Digital WPI Interactive Qualifying Projects (All Years) Interactive Qualifying Projects 2020-03-05 Developing a Sustainability Plan for Hammams in Morocco Alyssa Joy Sousa Worcester Polytechnic Institute Brian Preiss Worcester Polytechnic Institute Nathan S. Kaplan Worcester Polytechnic Institute Payton Bielawski Worcester Polytechnic Institute Rebekah Jolin Vernon Worcester Polytechnic Institute Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.wpi.edu/iqp-all Repository Citation Sousa, A. J., Preiss, B., Kaplan, N. S., Bielawski, P., & Vernon, R. J. (2020). Developing a Sustainability Plan for Hammams in Morocco. Retrieved from https://digitalcommons.wpi.edu/iqp-all/5619 This Unrestricted is brought to you for free and open access by the Interactive Qualifying Projects at Digital WPI. It has been accepted for inclusion in Interactive Qualifying Projects (All Years) by an authorized administrator of Digital WPI. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Developing a Sustainability Plan for Hammams in Morocco An Interactive Qualifying Project submitted to the Faculty of WORCESTER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Science by Payton S. Bielawski Nathan S. Kaplan Brian C. Preiss Alyssa J. Sousa Rebekah J. Vernon Date: 8 March 2020 Report Submitted to: Mr. Abdelhadi Bennis Association Ribat Al-Fath Professor Laura Roberts Professor Mohammed El Hamzaoui Worcester Polytechnic Institute This report represents work of WPI undergraduate
  • Role of the Muslim Anjumans for the Promotion of Education in the Colonial Punjab: a Historical Analysis

    Role of the Muslim Anjumans for the Promotion of Education in the Colonial Punjab: a Historical Analysis

    Bulletin of Education and Research December 2019, Vol. 41, No. 3 pp. 1-18 Role of the Muslim Anjumans for the Promotion of Education in the Colonial Punjab: A Historical Analysis Maqbool Ahmad Awan* __________________________________________________________________ Abstract This article highlightsthe vibrant role of the Muslim Anjumans in activating the educational revival in the colonial Punjab. The latter half of the 19th century, particularly the decade 1880- 1890, witnessed the birth of several Muslim Anjumans (societies) in the Punjab province. These were, in fact, a product of growing political consciousness and desire for collective efforts for the community-betterment. The Muslims, in other provinces, were lagging behind in education and other avenues of material prosperity. Their social conditions were also far from being satisfactory. Religion too had become a collection of rites and superstitions and an obstacle for their educational progress. During the same period, they also faced a grievous threat from the increasing proselytizing activities of the Christian Missionary societies and the growing economic prosperity of the Hindus who by virtue of their advancement in education, commerce and public services, were emerging as a dominant community in the province. The Anjumans rescued the Muslim youth from the verge of what then seemed imminent doom of ignorance by establishing schools and madrassas in almost all cities of the Punjab. The focus of these Anjumans was on both secular and religious education, which was advocated equally for both genders. Their trained scholars confronted the anti-Islamic activities of the Christian missionaries. The educational development of the Muslims in the Colonial Punjab owes much to these Anjumans.
  • ANSWERED ON:23.08.2007 HISTORICAL PLACES in up Verma Shri Bhanu Pratap Singh

    ANSWERED ON:23.08.2007 HISTORICAL PLACES in up Verma Shri Bhanu Pratap Singh

    GOVERNMENT OF INDIA CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO:1586 ANSWERED ON:23.08.2007 HISTORICAL PLACES IN UP Verma Shri Bhanu Pratap Singh Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state: (a) the details of Centrally protected monuments in Uttar Pradesh (UP) at present; (b) the agency responsible for the maintenance of these places; (c) the amount spent on the maintenance of these monuments during the last three years; and (d) the details of revenue earned from these monuments during each of the last three years? Answer MINISTER FOR TOURISM AND CULTURE (SHRIMATI AMBIKA SONI) (a)&(b) There are 742 monuments/sites declared as of national importance in the Uttar Pradesh (U.P.) as per list at Annexure. Archaeological Survey of India looks after their proper upkeep, maintenance, conservation and preservation. (c) The expenditure incurred on conservation, preservation, maintenance and environmental development of these centrally protected monuments during the last three years is as under: Rupees in Lakhs Year Total 2004-05 1392.48 2005-06 331.14 2006-07 1300.36 (d) The details of revenue earned from these monuments during the last three years are as under: Rupees in Lakhs Year Total 2004-05 2526.33 2005-06 2619.92 2006-07 2956.46 ANNEXURE ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a)&(b) OF THE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTIO NO.1586 FOR 23.8.2007 LIST OF CENTRALLY PROTECTED MONUMENTS IN UTTAR PRADESH Agra Circle Name of monument/site Locality District 1. Agra Fort Including Akbari Mahal Agra Agra Anguri Bagh Baoli of the Diwan-i-Am Quadrangle.
  • The Making of Seljuk Patterns on Curved Surfaces

    The Making of Seljuk Patterns on Curved Surfaces

    Bridges Finland Conference Proceedings Geometric Patterns as Material Things: The Making of Seljuk Patterns on Curved Surfaces Begüm Hamzaoğlu* Architectural Design Computing Program, Istanbul Technical University Taşkışla, Taksim, Istanbul, 34437, Turkey E-mail: [email protected] Mine Özkar Department of Architecture, Istanbul Technical University Taşkışla, Taksim, Istanbul, 34437, Turkey Email: [email protected] Abstract There is very little information today on the historical techniques that medieval craftsmen used to apply the intricate geometric patterns on architectural surfaces. This paper focuses on the particular problem of applying geometric patterns on curved stone surfaces and explores possible technical application scenarios for a select group of 13th century Anatolian patterns. We illustrate hypothetical processes of how to apply three patterns on three different types of curved surfaces and discuss the relation between the surface geometry and the tools. Our main motivation is to shed light on how the geometric construction of the designs and the making of these patterns correlate. Introduction Geometric patterns consisting of polygons, stars and lines were used as ornaments on monumental building façades in medieval Anatolia, also known as the Seljuk period. The style was widely common throughout the larger region at the time. The question of how these intricate designs were constructed geometrically has drawn the attention of many interdisciplinary studies [1][2][3][4]. However, only a few of these studies focus on how abstract patterns were transformed into the material things that they are whether carved into stone, tiled in brick or ceramic, or arranged in wood using special crafting techniques [5]. Materials, tools and all other components of the making process such as the craftsman’s hand movements are all factors in the formation of the shapes.
  • History of Architecture

    History of Architecture

    Caravansarais Islamic Architecture No’man Bayaty Introduction • Islamic civilization is mobile civilization. • At its simplest form, the caravanserai is a building that hosts a caravan. • It is the largest building type in Islamic architecture in terms of area. • It had a large courtyard with stables for animals. • It had several names: caravanserai, khan, funduq, ribat, manzil. These names show the ambiguity of the function of this building. • These different names lead to different building types, and thus different forms and functions. Architectural Origin • Because of its multi functional nature, many buildings might offer a source for the caravanserais, and there were a few building types that might give these buildings an initial form. • Some theorists refer to the relationship between caravanserais and the Christian monasteries spread on the Arabian lands. • There is also some resemblance between them and the Roman forts, which had the same form, a fortified wall with a courtyard and rooms inside. • They might also be affected by large Assyrian houses, because of the similarity in form and function. General Considerations • We have two main settings for caravanserais, urban and rural. • Crowded areas inside the cities lead to minimum spaces problems in urban caravanserais. • They also used to sell goods, an activity unavailable in rural caravanserais. • They also needed less fortification. They must held merchants and shopkeepers for a daily basis, not temporarily. • The rural ones were more fortified, and larger in size. • The styles of the caravanserais overlap and merge, complicating the task of classifying them. Iranian Caravanserais (Early) • The early Iranian caravanserais range from very small buildings (Zindan-i- Harun) to some large structures (Ribat-i-Sharaf).
  • “The Battle for the Enlightenment”: Rushdie, Islam, and the West

    “The Battle for the Enlightenment”: Rushdie, Islam, and the West

    i “The Battle for the Enlightenment”: Rushdie, Islam, and the West Adam Glyn Kim Perchard PhD University of York English and Related Literature August 2014 ii iii Abstract In the years following the proclamation of the fatwa against him, Salman Rushdie has come to view the conflict of the Rushdie Affair not only in terms of a struggle between “Islam” and “the West”, but in terms of a “battle for the Enlightenment”. Rushdie’s construction of himself as an Enlightened war-leader in the battle for a divided world has proved difficult for many critics to reconcile with the Rushdie who advocates “mongrelization” as a form of life-giving cultural hybridity. This study suggests that these two Rushdies have been in dialogue since long before the fatwa. It also suggests that eighteenth-century modes of writing and thinking about, and with, the Islamic East are far more integral to the literary worlds of Rushdie’s novels than has previously been realised. This thesis maps patterns of rupture and of convergence between representations of the figures of the Islamic despot and the Muslim woman in Shame, The Satanic Verses, and Haroun and the Sea of Stories, and the changing ways in which these figures were instrumentalised in eighteenth-century European literatures. Arguing that many of the harmful binaries that mark the way Rushdie and others think about Islam and the West hardened in the late eighteenth century, this study folds into the fable of the fatwa an account of European literary engagements with the Islamic world in the earlier part of the eighteenth century.
  • Moorish Architectural Syntax and the Reference to Nature: a Case Study of Algiers

    Moorish Architectural Syntax and the Reference to Nature: a Case Study of Algiers

    Eco-Architecture V 541 Moorish architectural syntax and the reference to nature: a case study of Algiers L. Chebaiki-Adli & N. Chabbi-Chemrouk Laboratoire architecture et environnement LAE, Ecole polytechnique d’architecture et d’urbanisme, Algeria Abstract The analogy to nature in architectural conception refers to anatomy and logical structures, and helps to ease and facilitate knowledge related to buildings. Indeed, several centuries ago, since Eugène Violet-le-Duc and its relationship to the botanic, to Phillip Steadman and its biological analogy, many studies have already facilitated the understanding and apprehension of many complex systems, about buildings in the world. Besides these morphological and structural aspects, environmental preoccupations are now imposing themselves as new norms and values and reintroducing the quest for traditional and vernacular know-how as an alternative to liveable and sustainable settlements. In Algiers, the exploration of traditional buildings, and Moorish architecture, which date from the 16th century, interested many researchers who tried to elucidate their social and spatial laws of coherence. An excellent equilibrium was in effect, set up, by a subtle union between local culture and environmental adaptability. It is in continuation of André Ravéreau’s architectonics’ studies that this paper will make an analytical study of a specific landscape, that of a ‘Fahs’, a traditional palatine residence situated at the extra-mural of the medieval historical town. This ‘Fahs’ constitutes an excellent example of equilibrated composition between architecture and nature. The objective of this study being the identification of the subtle conjugation between space syntax and many elements of nature, such as air, water and green spaces/gardens.