10 May 2007 / 20 Saur 1386
Our fourth field trip was to Ashiqan wa Arifan, one of the oldest existing neighborhoods in Kabul. I took the class there on our fourth field trip, to see conservation, restoration, and the role of historic urban fabric for urban identity.
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| Entry street in to Ashiqan wa Arifan neighborhood |
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| Reconstruction raising dust |
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| Older, timber-laced construction | Entry to mosque. Note the post inside. |
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| Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) has restored this house. | Most of the facade is carved cedar (archeh). |
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| The upstairs has a central room divided from end-rooms by screens. | Rather than closets, niches are built into the walls. |
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| Courtyard of the mosque of the Uzbeks (masjid-e Uzbekha). | Poplar (chenar) is used for most posts and beams. |
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| The caretaker of the mosque. | The enclosing windows are a 20th-century addition. |
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| Engineer Habib describing AKTC’s restoration-decisions here. | The mihrab of the mosque has a clock rather like Saint Gregory’s. |
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| The minbar, on the right, is built into the wall. People who often come to pray leave their prayer rugs in the mosque. | Mud-plaster finish has been restored on the right; but painted wood has been left as is. |
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| A repaired street, outside another restored house. The students discuss materials and choices made. |
The combination of wood and plaster is reminiscent of historic Japanese houses. |
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| Mud-plaster detail work is often quite delicate. | Muhammad Nazir was born in this neighborhood. |
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| Nawin discusses restoration with the carpenter. | Nawin likes this house. |
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| This restored street reminds me of Fes. | You can build out over the street if your neighbor agrees to it; but you must build the supports. |
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| Drains run down the middle of the street. These covers allow easy clean-out. |
The beams and braced frames of overhanging floors create wonderful forms and shadows. |