Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Aboukir High Institutes
2
Faculty of Engineering and Technology at the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport
Abstract
This paper investigates the growing architectural distortion in Egypt’s Siwa Oasis, largely caused by the construction of tourist lodges that use materials and design elements incompatible with the oasis’s authentic architectural language. These developments, often driven by commercial tourism, risk diluting Siwa’s cultural identity and displacing its environmentally attuned building traditions. In response, the research emphasizes the urgent need to restore and preserve the oasis’s unique built heritage through informed architectural practices that align with the region’s historical and environmental context.
The study focuses on documenting and analyzing traditional local building materials, especially Karshef, a historic composite of salt and clay bricks that has long defined the architectural fabric of Siwa. Alongside this, the research explores the development of modern, environmentally sustainable building alternatives inspired by traditional knowledge. Techniques such as rammed earth construction, salt-based masonry, and polymer-reinforced clay are evaluated for their potential to blend modern performance with local character.
To form a comprehensive understanding, the methodology combines historical documentation, technical field testing, and consultations with local builders, architects, and community stakeholders. The paper identifies three distinct architectural phases in Siwa—traditional, transitional, and contemporary—and evaluates how each responds to environmental, social, and functional needs.
Based on these insights, the study proposes a framework for sustainable architecture that neither romanticizes the past nor imposes generic modernity. Instead, it encourages hybrid solutions that respect local material culture while enhancing durability, comfort, and environmental efficiency. In particular, compacted soil technology is highlighted as a promising strategy that maintains aesthetic continuity while offering ecological and structural benefits.
Finally, the research argues for the establishment of clear design and material standards for eco-lodges, ensuring that modern interventions contribute positively to Siwa’s identity. By positioning Siwa as a model for sustainable tourism rooted in authenticity and innovation, the study contributes to broader discussions on heritage conservation and responsible development in vulnerable cultural landscapes.
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