ARCHITECTURE OF THE ANCIENT LIBYAN PALACES BETWEEN (RESTORATION AND REUSE) CASE STUDY (PALACES OF THE WESTERN MOUNTAIN REGION)

Abstract

Among the most important and largest ancient artifices having retained their form and structure in Libya stand the historical palaces, located in the country’s ancient cities and serving as a sign of past Libyan architectural identity. It is vital that these palaces, indicators of the functions of ancient Libyan society, be preserved, developed and revived for use as historic buildings. The main objective of this research paper is to understand how the palaces were used and to uncover the most important dimensions of the architectural and philosophical implications of these palaces, including how the architecture reflects a philosophy that endeavored to meet the human needs of the people of Libya of that time. Furthermore, it will explore how these buildings can be restored, preserved, developed and re-functioned in accordance with knowledge of the characteristics of these structures and their previous functions, as well as consideration of the most appropriate functions for after their restoration. This paper tries to answer all these questions, using them as a guide to propose a general strategy for conservation and reuse based on principles mandated by Libya’s General Directorate for the Development of Historic Cities.

In order to arrive at precise answers, this paper adopted the inductive and analytical descriptive method in collecting data from historical sources. The researcher conducted field visits, surveyed, examined archives and used field photography. The focus was on studying and analyzing the implicit philosophical dimensions in the design of these palaces and their correlation with Maslow’s theory (1954) of the hierarchy of human needs. Based on the results, this research paper presents a set of ideas that can be used in the process of restoration and reuse of these palaces to meet general needs. This paper also recommends the need to provide technical support to civil associations that are working on the restoration and maintenance of these historic landmarks and study the possibility of taking advantage of the palaces as tourist museums and grain silos in the upper parts after maintenance and restoration.