Analysis of the Araishi House (Traditional Dwelling) as a Component of the Environmental Identity of Al-Arish City

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Architecture department, High institute of engineering and technology in AL-Arish

2 Architecture department, Suez Canal University

3 Architecture Department., High Institute of Engineering in El-Sherouk City, El-Sherouk

Abstract

North Sinai is an Egyptian governorate with a unique environmental character that grants it environmental identity, shaped by both coastal and desert environments. Al-Arish, the most densely populated city, includes various residential styles, the most prominent being the traditional Araishi house. Recently, this style has started to decline due to factors such as cultural mixing from increased expatriates and the growing preference among residents for modern architectural styles. These changes have contributed to the erosion of essential human elements of the city’s environmental identity.

The research identified the reluctance of Al-Arish residents to build in the traditional Araishi style as a major issue, with a preference for modern vocabulary incompatible with the city's identity. The study raised key questions: What causes the population's reluctance to adopt the traditional Araishi style? What architectural elements define the Araishi house as a core feature of environmental identity? How can this reluctance be addressed, and how can traditional architecture be promoted within the context of identity preservation?

The research aimed to highlight the Araishi house as a fundamental component of Al-Arish’s environmental identity. Through a field study of eight traditional houses in the Al-Fawakhiriyah neighborhood—one of the city’s oldest and most authentic areas—photography and architectural analysis were conducted. The findings emphasized the environmental significance of the Araishi house, its harmony with the local climate and surroundings, and proposed strategies to prevent its extinction and enhance its value as a unique architectural heritage

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