Haitham Al-Abri

Doctoral Researcher in Architecture
School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment
Nottingham Trent University

Haitham Al-Abri is an architect and architectural researcher in the traditional built environment of Oman, doing his PhD at the School of Architecture Design and the Built Environment, Nottingham Trent University.

Haitham's interest focuses on the formation and morphological development of the traditional settlements of Oman. Particularly, his on-going PhD research investigates and compares all factors - location, climate, topography, agriculture, politics, society, culture, religion - which influenced the formation of the two traditional foothill settlements of al-Hamra and Birkat al-Mawz in Central Oman.

The collapse of some dwellings reveals the buildings' architectural features, levels and space organisation in Harat al-Wista, al-Hamra, Oman.
Photo: Haitham Al-Abri, 2011

Interview with one of the former inhabitants of Harat as-Saybani, Barkat al-Mawz, Oman to understand the socio-culture, socio-political history and meaning of place.
Photo: ArCHIAM, 2011

Analysis of the historical location and settlement morphology in the territory of al-Hamra, Oman.
Image: Haitham Al-Abri, 2012

Research, scholarly and professional interests

• Traditional construction methods in Oman: materials and techniques
• Settlement adaptive relation and behaviour with the environment
• The sustainable sacred relation between man, dwelling and environment
• The settlement's identity and echo of continuity
• The influence of all factors in studying the traditional settlements

Presently he is involved in research projects funded by Nottingham Trent University and the Ministry of Heritage and Culture of Oman, along with Principal Investigator Prof Soumyen Bandyopadhyay, for the documentation and heritage management of traditional oasis settlements in Central Oman.