Field research trips allow students to observe and learn about the restoration efforts in AlBalad today. Through documentations, drawing sessions and practical workshops students become familiar with the building techniques of AlBalad. They practice traditional wall building techniques using coral and limestone. Thye cut the coral limestone to create the external frame of the wall, cut wooden supports and embed them in the wall construction. Finally they rendered the wall surface with Nura plaster creating interior and exterior decorations directly onto it. This smooth surface was decorated as per tradition with two different techniques – embedded black pebbles to trace patterns, and hand carved motifs.
Drawings; pen on paper.
Mustafa Hassan, Hanan Bucklain