For a number of years ArCHIAM team members have been involved in the ongoing study and documentation of heritage sites in the Middle East. By request of the Ministry of Heritage and Culture of the Sultanate of Oman a series of high-quality documentation efforts were carried out to ascertain the state of preservation of some of the country’s most important architectural exponents, including the Bahla UNESCO World Heritage Site. Beyond the production of plans, drawings, photographs, virtual reconstructions and other materials of the highest standard, the ArCHIAM Heritage Management Plans aim for the development of sustainable re-integration strategies of the traditional vernacular architecture into the country’s rapidly changing economic and social realities. To achieve this a strong emphasis is placed on the cooperation of local stakeholders and understanding the sensitivities and requirements of the inhabitants.

In keeping with the ArCHIAM mission statement, the study of anthropological substrates of the built environment and the spatial relationships within vernacular settlements figures very highly on our list of priorities. The members of the team pursue their individual research agendas in architectural technology, fortification, archaeology, tribal identities, conservation, etc., the results and conclusions being cohesively fed into the management plans and numerous ancillary scientific publications.