Irbid: House of Culture
Thesis project Instructor: Prof. Shoaib Nouh Maabdah Year: 2020
Location: Irbid’s city center, Jordan Phase: Analysis and concept
Introduction
The Irbid House of Culture presents an inspiring proposal, leveraging the city's rich historical legacy as a foundational pillar for future progress. This visionary initiative entails an innovative urban and architectural project with the primary goal of transforming the city center into a vibrant cultural district. Through the meticulous reimagining of pivotal landmarks and local architectural elements, this transformative endeavor, focused on the iconic Irbid city hill, conveys a profound message to both residents and visitors. The result is a meticulously crafted tapestry of cultural symbols intricately woven to define the essence of the city's identity.
City background
Irbid is among the most crucial cities in the northern part of Jordan. As the second most populated city in the country, its significance manifests across various realms, including economic, educational, cultural, and notably, in terms of its borders.
Objective
The primary goal is to construct an inclusive, socially sustainable cultural environment accessible to all individuals in Irbid. Additionally, the project aims to reflect the city's rich culture, offering a panoramic perspective of its vibrant cultural scene.
Location and justification
1. The primary objective of the project is to establish a journey to the cultural heart of the city's downtown area.
2. The Irbid House of Culture proposes to replace the police station, which has hindered cultural activity on Irbid hill due to privacy concerns.
3. The project emphasizes the preservation of old historical buildings and the city's heritage, utilizing their presence and arrangement to narrate the city's history.
4. It seeks to create an inclusive space that provides a panoramic view of the city.
5. The project aims to counteract the city's ongoing changes by establishing multiple well-defined new cores within the city.
Urban Planning
In the urban planning phase, we studied circulation and categorized areas based on function, activities, and human behavior. The detailed analysis resulted in maps outlining zones like neo-cultural, heritage, crafts, industrial, shops, education, parks, and public buildings. The project systematically organized practices on the site for creating, displaying, living, and documenting activities related to culture and architecture.
Urban Design
The urban design stage aimed to seamlessly connect cultural activities, buildings, and views. The proposal transforms the hill area into a pedestrian destination, adding green parking, a bus shuttle, and public plazas for social events. The project enhances green spaces for safety, converting waste areas into parks and linking schools with surrounding activities. Historically, it suggests restoring the old city wall, Roman amphitheater, and renovating cultural ruins and ancient homes.
Architecture
The architectural phase encompasses interventions for heritage buildings and associated functions. Additionally, the design involves crafting a cultural center and museum with a courtyard layout, drawing inspiration from traditional houses, building techniques, and architectural elements of the Levant and Irbid history.
The objective is to establish a panoramic city view and cultivate an inclusive and secure social environment. Furthermore, for sustainable growth, project users are thoughtfully categorized into groups based on age and role.
