Adaptive Reuse Decision Making of a Heritage Building Antoniadis Palace, Egypt

ABSTRACT

Antoniadis palace has been experiencing adaptive reuse decision making which is the focus of the Alexandrian community criticism. The research objective highlights criticism causes through the examination of important aspects associated with any adaptive reuse decision making. It emphasizes the present Egyptian legislation and regulations. It indicates the capital investment and points out the involvement of key stakeholders in decision making. It also clarifies the preservation of authenticity and integrity and possible future resilient actions. This research explores two regional examples and highlights issues related to Egyptian adaptive reuse practice through tackling local sources and examining local examples. Semi-structured interviews are carried out with relevant primary and secondary stakeholders and community members. The research outcome urges cautious revision of adaptive reuse legislation and regulations, involvement of relevant stakeholders, setting standards, and norms, adopting sustainability during the last stage of Antoniadis Palace process and developing a :standard for adaptive reuse decision making sound practice.”

KEYWORDS:

• Adaptive reuse
• authenticity and integrity
• decision making
• regulations
• sound practice stakeholders

Acknowledgement

The author expresses her sincere gratitude to her friend and colleague Chief Officer Helen Martin- Dudley Council, U.K. for editing this research, to Arch. Ola Sharaf for review and to Prof. Associate Manal ElKordy- Alexandria University for supportive advice. The author wishes also to thank Dr. Mohamed Awad- Project consultant, Arch. Ahmed Khalil and Eng. Mahmoud ElHadidy for their kind supply of images and photos. The author is grateful to Dr. Khamisa ElAraby- Ministry of Antiquities inspector and to Mrs. Cecile Shalaan- Centre d'Etudes Alexandrina for sharing valuable information and images.

Notes

1. National Organisation of Urban Harmony which is referred to as (NOUH). NOUH is affiliated to the Egyptian Ministry of Culture. Part of its mission lies in the preservation of the architectural and urban features specific to every area. The National Organisation for Urban Harmony in Cairo is a central authority for all Egyptian governorates.

2. The Supreme Council of Antiquities is referred to as SCA. It used to be affliated to the Ministry of Culture. In 2015 it became an independent ministry and it it currently named Ministry of Antiquities.

3. Alexandria and Mediterranean Research Centre referred to as ALEX-MED. It is a research centre affliated to Bibliotheca and produced Alexandria Heritage Catalogue in 2007 incooperation with Alexandria governorate.

4. Feddans is the plural of feddan in Arabic. The feddan is a measurement of an area unit of land. It is equal 4200 m².