Cultural Identity of Desert Architecture: Exploring Strategies for Integrating Traditional and Modern

Abstract

Predictions for desertification on a global scale, under an unusually variable climate, ecological vulnerability, and further expansion of human activities have become important in helping people build sustainable, green buildings in sensitive areas and exploring the possibility of better habitats in desert areas. The main objective of this study is to explore the possibilities of different types of desert architecture to provide sustainable habitats by combining desert traditional architecture, with modern architecture and human activities, to provide an alternative perspective on habitats on a global scale, and to predict their future evolution. Desert traditional architecture has always been a product of sustainable and green building, but the influence of globalization has made the people in the desert areas gradually lose their traditions and move towards industrialized construction and the use of materials, people are looking for modern living facilities to meet the needs that are not met by the traditional dwellings. In order to avoid the loss of traditional tangible and intangible architectural knowledge, this study focuses on how contemporary desert architecture can be adapted to meet the needs of modern lifestyles while still retaining the beneficial aspects of traditional techniques. Using examples of desert architecture from different periods in several countries, the study explores the differences and commonalities and summarizes the possibilities for sustainable development of traditional architecture in desert areas. In addition, the new architecture is categorized into three directions. The three directions of architectural design explore different possibilities for future desert architecture.