Date palm pruning residues as key elements in the evolution of the vernacular architecture in dakhla oases, egypt

Abstract

The community of Dakhla oases represents a unique experience in sustaining and developing its rich technical heritage to be implemented in contemporary architecture. They have inherited a rich technical heritage in utilizing date palm pruning residues in traditional handicrafts, and they have always employed this heritage in their architecture. This paper represents the first detailed investigation of the manifestations of the technical heritage of utilizing date palm pruning residues in shaping vernacular architecture and tracks its evolution to be implemented into contemporary architectural applications to predict the potential of further growth. It examines the basic heritage and analyses its consistency and influence on current applications, in order to identify the factors shaping this evolution to take its current form and nominate the techniques that can effectively fit into contemporary architecture. The grounded theory methodology is adopted to explain the evolution of this technical heritage, as shaped by the community and the market demands, from traditional, eco-tourism projects to contemporary architectural applications. Achieving versatility and sophistication were the main catalysts of this evolution. The prefabricated date palm midribs panels were found to be the most commonly used technique in contemporary applications which are direct decedents of traditional fences, roofs and furniture. Their dependence on inherent skills are still used nowadays, and their versatility and sophistication are the main factors that ensure their existence. Prefabricated midribs panels could sustainably substitute conventional construction materials in a variety of forms and functions, for their ability for mass-production, cost-efficiency and depending on available handicrafts techniques. Further exploitation of prefabricated midribs panels unlocks the potential of pruning residues for a wider spectrum of sustainable construction applications.