Ashraf Abu-hilal

Evolution of Palestinian Traditional Dwellings, Case Study from Hebron: a Move from the Extended Family Organic Dwellings "Hosh" to the Free Standing Central-hall "Liwan" Houses Ashraf Abu-hilal

This Book overviews human habitat in Palestine focusing on the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This period, had witnessed changes on social texture, which was reflected on human habitation at various levels of: site and plan organization, size of dwellings and architectural form. The book presents a clear understanding of traditional dwellings of Al- khalil (Hebron), by placing them within their architectural and social contexts. The appearance of central hall house was part of this change; it was part of a fashion spread at the newly established neighborhoods of many Palestinian towns. Those houses are in the form of individual structures located in a defined property or garden surrounding each. A large group of buildings of this type of houses in Al- khalil are studied. The outcomes form the case study catalog focusing on Al-khalil; are compared with earlier dwelling (hosh) and with similar houses from surrounding Palestinian towns in growing circles. This book establish the nature of this change, thus the analysis of the former and the later dwellings.