The Muraijeb Fort Student Project
This spring, 15 female students from the United Arab Emirates University’s Architectural Engineering program completed a research project on Al Ain’s Muraijeb Fort. The goal of the semester-long project was to teach basic documentation techniques, practice 3D modeling of an existing structure, and to produce an interactive website illustrating the building’s history, materials, and condition.
Muraijeb Fort is a mud brick building located in a landscaped park near Al Ain’s Qattarah Oasis. The main two-story residence was built around 1820 as the home of Sheikh Shakhbut Bin Diyab. A circular tower and a small square (murabba) fort on the site formed part of the original settlement. Abandoned at an unknown date, the structures were left as ruins until the Al Ain Department of Tourism and Antiquities reconstructed and restored them in the late 1970s. Since then, termites, natural weathering and structural problems have caused serious cracks in the walls of the fort, leading to the collapse of a section of its parapet. In 2008, ADACH began a program of emergency stabilization and structural investigation to develop a long-term solution for the building’s conservation.
The combination of historic materials and structural problems provided an interesting challenge for the class, which was led by architect Dr. Verdy Kwee. Their work began by researching the history of the building and taking photographs and measurements on site. The students learned advanced documentation techniques by means of a total station, an instrument that takes precise measurements of architectural features with lasers. By creating intricate 3D renderings of the fort’s interior and exterior with computer-modeling software, the students were able to map different aspects of the building such as original features and structural cracks.
The final project of the class involved presenting the information in graphic interactive websites. Six groups each created a unique website reflecting their interpretation of the building information and its online presentation. This process introduced students to new aspects of data collection, digitization and rethinking of online dissemination issues associated with architectural heritage sites.
Project Outline
The Internet is now a ubiquitous instrument for information sourcing due to its ease and speed of access/retrieval. The quality of digital information packaging is imperative, especially in knowledge formation and synthesis.
During the 2011 spring semester, with the help from the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH), a group of Architectural Engineering students of UAE University attempted to showcase Muraijeb Fort online detailing in-depth information about the heritage building. Students assessed available data, reconstructed digital models and evaluated techniques of presenting all information to arrive at their own interpretive online digital packaging of the building information. The fort was selected="true" by ADACH for this exercise, based on the potential benefits - both for the organization and the general public. The process introduced students to the aspects of data collection, digitization and rethinking of online dissemination issues associated with architectural heritage site information, while aiming to instill awareness and appreciation for local culture and history among all stakeholders.
The Process
Students were to:
Muraijeb Fort
Students measuring the murabba
Students learning how to use a total station
Project 1
Al Kaabi, Mouza M. Rashed Ali Rashoud Zeyoudi, Haleimah A.
Project 2
Almemari, Eiman S. Alnuaimi, Ameera M. Awadhi, Hamdah Y.
Project 3
Al AhbabiI, Bakhita S. Al Dhaheri, Maitha E. Alshamsi, Kanna M.
Project 4
Almansoori, Amani T. Sulaiman Lutfi Khanji, Hajer T.
Project 5
Al Baloushi, Fatima S. Ameri, Eiman S.
Project 6
Aldhanhani, Aishah R. Aldhanhani, Sarah A. Dhanhani, Saarah A.
