ArCHIAM

ArCHIAM Centre for the Study of Architecture and Cultural Heritage of India, Arabia and the Maghreb

The Centre consists of an international team of researchers from a variety of academic backgrounds in architecture, social history, architectural technology, archaeology, conservation and digital documentation, among others. In this sense one of the fundamental themes underlying the Centre's research aims is the multidisciplinary study of how human culture and social practices are expressed spatia

lly, and how in turn space affects the cultural practices of groups and communities. A further aim is the dissemination of a wide range of research material developed at ArCHIAM through a searchable online repository of photographs, drawings, videos, fieldwork reports and also academic publications. Research

The centre is interested in furthering the study and understanding of influence and interconnectivity that existed between cultural spheres. Indian, Arabian and North African artistic developments never occurred in isolation from one another as traders, pilgrims and travellers shifted goods and ideas over great distances. These vast spatial cognitive networks that spanned, either directly or indirectly, from Marrakesh to Madras, gave individuals and communities access to intellectual developments that lay far beyond their horizon. Current research at ArCHIAM is emphasising the field-work based study of the built environment, its secular, vernacular and religious architecture and urbanism. The focus lies on heritage management and sustainable development in Arabia, the Subcontinent and North Africa, with a clear view towards incorporating studies in related fields in the arts and humanities and the social sciences. The Centre's spatial ambition is mirrored by its temporal interest ranging from pre-history to modernity. Projects

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. Outreach & Training

ARCHIAM strives to provide high quality research materials for educational and public outreach programmes. ArCHIAM visualisations, plans and drawings are being displayed in a variety of museums and exhibtions on architectural history and vernacular architecture. As part of fieldwork efforts undertaken in Oman, ArCHIAM team members have engaged in the training of students and ministry employees in survey techniques, photographic documentation and architectural analysis in order to build up local expertise and interest in the traditional lifestyles.

03/03/2026

At the end of February, CEPT University hosted two conferences on reframing vernacular architecture and the conference of the Endangered Wooden Architecture Programme. Dr Mary Shepperson represented the ArCHIAM centre and presented a paper about her project to document the reed architecture of the Iraqi Marshes. Thanks to all those involved in organising a great three days of papers and discussion.

16/02/2026

Dr Mary Shepperson from ArCHIAM will be presenting a lecture on the architectural heritage of Najaf at the British Institute for the Study of Iraq on Wednesday the 18th of Feb. Further details can be found here:
https://www.bisi.ac.uk/event/lecture-8/

02/11/2025

Initial massing and accommodation tests last week for 's BA3 RE-heritage studio interim review.

Thanks to , , Laleh Ramezani, , Paco Mejias Villatoro and for their insightful feedback.

24/10/2025

Today, in RE-heritage, we ran pin-up style tutorials to practice our presentation skills towards reviews next week. It was exciting to see different community-focused programmes shape up and early ideas translate into massing explorations and design strategies.

Last, but not least, we had a superuseful talk from 's expert in graveyard recording, management and interpretation, Prof Mytum, who share practical tips on how to deal with the small burial ground on the site of St Catherine's Chapel (Lydiate Abbey).

Looking forward to next week!

13/10/2025

It's been three intense weeks since -led RE-heritage, BA3 studio focusing on of , started this year!

In week 1, we visited our Semester 1 project site, the GRADE II* listed St Catherine Chapel, also known as Lydiate Abbey, and joined a history talk, especially organised for us by the Friends of Lydiate Abbey group, on the outdoor premises of the beautiful Scotch Piper Inn. We will be designing a community centre by remodelling the 15th/16th century Tudor-style domestic chapel, developing the surrounding grounds while paying respect to the site's graveyard.

In week 2, we learnt about the site and wider context through a full day of presentations of group site analysis work.

In week 3, 's Dr delivered for us the lecture "Adaptive reuse of the built heritage: concepts and cases of an emerging discipline", in which she focused on the concepts and strategies of aemulatio and facadism.

26/06/2025

Our ArCHIAM project to document historic houses in Najaf's old town was featured at the British Academy's Summer Showcase last weekend.

22/06/2025

Some amazing work by our BA3 RE-heritage Studio is now on display as part of LSA annual degree show 2025 “Work in Detail”.

We are impressed by the quality of the design schemes and the enthusiasm and hard work that students have put into the of vernacular structures in , , as a visitor centre and the design of mobility infrastructure to connect the centre up with the surrounding public realm.

Many thanks to , , , , , ._.dex, .dyas, .kohli, and for helping us set up this fabulous degree show.

Good luck to all our students on their next endeavours!

Photographs by .

19/06/2025

Congratulations to Regan, Magdalena, Yasmine and Michelle for winning the Charles Reilly Medal for the top MArch thesis project of 2025. It was a pleasure to work with them in the ArCHIAM studio. Project Galena, which looks at the architectural potential of abandoned and contaminated lead mines in Wales, was a fantastic piece of work. Learn more about the project here:

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Liverpool

Website

https://www.archiam.co.uk/

Address

Liverpool

ArCHIAM

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