Employing the Palestinian Cultural Heritage in Improving Contemporary Interior Architecture

(A tourist architecture as a model)

Abstract

This research aims to employ the cultural heritage in improving and developing methods of contemporary interior designs for tourist buildings in Palestine. The researcher assumes that the attempts to employ the cultural heritage in contemporary interior designs have relied on the process of direct reproduction without taking into consideration the functional, historical or aesthetic value. The research adopts the descriptive analytical approach by analyzing some tourism models in Palestine, whether they are heritage buildings that have been restored or buildings that have been completed recently. The research concluded that the use of cultural heritage in contemporary interior designs must be consistent with the architectural style so as not to fall into the trap of imitation and similarity or difference and contradiction. The researcher recommends the need to raise awareness among society in general, and designers in particular, of the importance of preserving the cultural heritage, and calling for the enactment of legislation and laws to limit the assault on this heritage.