Architecture Students on a Field Trip to the Old City of Damascus

The Faculty of Architecture at the International University for Science and Technology organized a scientific field trip for its students to the Old City of Damascus, entitled: “Project Site Exploration: Analysis of Traditional Architecture and Urban Spaces in Old Damascus.” The trip was part of the Architectural Design II course requirements and was supervised by faculty members from the college.
The tour included visits to several prominent historical sites, including Bab Touma Square, Maktab Anbar, Al-Qaymariyya district, Khan Asaad Pasha, and Beit Al-Azem. These visits provided students with a valuable opportunity to conduct on-site analysis of the traditional urban fabric.
The trip aimed to bridge academic learning with practical application by exploring the project site within a real urban context that reflects community needs and requirements. It also focused on helping students identify key elements of traditional Damascene architecture, such as the courtyard, iwan, mashrabiya, and ablaq stonework, in addition to studying the evolution of functional spaces from residential use to commercial (khans) and cultural institutions.
Students also analyzed natural lighting and ventilation systems in historic buildings, and explored the dense, interconnected urban fabric, including the relationship between narrow alleyways and internal courtyards.
At the end of the trip, a survey titled “Analysis of the Old Urban Fabric for Designing a Cultural Café” was conducted. The survey aimed to assess students’ learning outcomes, identify challenges associated with such projects, and propose innovative design ideas inspired by the field experience.
This field trip reflects the faculty’s commitment to enhancing experiential learning and developing students’ architectural analysis skills, preparing them to engage effectively with real-world projects in complex heritage contexts.