Building Problems
Due to other job opportunities that have been introduced by modern society, less dwellers want to learn the generational mud brick construction skill. As a result, there is no restoration or repair of the old age mud brick structures that require constant repairs for the cracks.
The residents are leaving Shibam, abandoning their cultures, and introducing modern products such as toilets to ancient systems have led to a malfunction of the entire sewage system. Hence, the old traditional sanitary systems are overloaded and damaging the building structure.
Through research, it was concluded that the building issues are a result of the diminishing cultural maintenance practices of the indigenous residents. These local design design guidelines that are passed on from generation to generation are what have sustained the buildings of Shibam for over 1,700 years.
Hence, in order for one to retrofit The Alwi Bin Sumayt House, there has to be a preservation of the indigenous community engagements that highlight the town’s heritage values to the custodians. This can be approached by utilizing the rooftop for safe, open, and connected communal activities.