A novel method for assessing the chromatic integration of architecture in theKsourianlandscape of M'zab Valley, Algeria

Abstract

Ksour are original architectural models of fortified villages located in the north of Africa. They offer, through their urban and natural visual sceneries, specific visible features that we name them Ksourian Landscapes. The present research, accordingly, addresses an investigation; relying on a new methodic perspective, of the chromatic character of the Ksourian landscape of M'zab valley in Algeria which is listed as an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Using the Natural Color System (NCS), a natural palette (NP) has been conducted; encapsulating 12 representative colors from the natural landscape of the site in congruence with a second palette (human settlements palette), which includes around 16 colors from the urban landscape of the Mozabite Ksour. The primary purpose of this research article aims at identifying perceptual similarities between the two palettes after comparison; which relies upon the NCS nominal identities (blackness [s], whiteness [w], chromaticness [c], yellowness [y], and redness [r]); and the NCS relation identities (hue [u], saturation [m], delta [d], and beta [b]).Graphical representations of these comparisons are demonstrated in the NCS triangle and the NCS 3D color space. We have demonstrated through our experimental outcomes the strong chromatic integration of the urban settlements in their natural landscape, the original chromatic character as being a constituent of the heritage values of the Mozabite Ksourian landscape, as well as its possible use in the urban restoration processes.

Quantitative study on landscape colors of plant communities in urban parks based on natural color system and M‐S theory in Nanjing, China

“… 17 Compared with other color systems, the NCS color system describes the pure visual properties of color, independent of the color formula and optical parameters. It has the advantages of wide color gamut, fine color grading, and large number of colors 18‐20 . Therefore, according to the NCS color number, the blackness, chroma, and hue value of the color can be seen intuitively.…”

Towards a Better Knowledge of Traditional Environmental Devices: Comparison Between Two Traditional Algerian Houses

“…However, this color is unsuitable in the M'zab Valley because of the very high intensity of sunlight and its long duration, which causes glare. for this reason, the external facades of mozabite houses have a chromatic appearance characterized by the use of sandy/earthy colors (Figure 9) which result from the use of natural pigments (Corpus, Meda Programme, 2001;Gouaich et al, 2018). Figure 9.…”

“…Figure 9. General view of the Kasr "El Attef" in the M'zab (Gouaich et al, 2018) Openings: In traditional houses, solar radiation (diffuse radiation) is the main source of light. The introverted dwellings capture most of their light from the wast ed dar.…”

“…In 2005, the valley was erected as a safeguarded sector in accordance with the Algerian law 98/04 13 . The main characteristics of these Ksour are: the radio-concentric urban layout (like the Islamic medina), the dense and compact urban landscape as well as the narrow and winding streets covered and uncovered on successive sections (Kitous et al, 2004;Gouaich et al, 2018;Djebbar, 2018). The houses are attached to each other and can communicate with each other via the stah (terraces) facing the sea (Benchekroun et al, 2019).…”

“…Its valley served as a refuge for the Ibadite Muslims who built, along the course of the M'zab wadi, five cities or "Ksour" 11 between 1012 and 1350. The builders installed the cities on the rocky hills on either side of the wadi whereas assigning the soils bordering the wadi to the palm grove(Kitous et al, 2004;Chabi M., Dahli M., 2011a;Gouaich et al, 2018).…”