السرداب وخصائصه في عمارة البيت الموصلي - دار حسن الأعرجي أنموذجاً

Abstract

     This paper aims to study the characteristics of the basements (sardaab) of Mosul's Heritage residential buildings which were characterized by their basements. The aim is to address climate problems and provide an architectural environment conducive to people's lives in their homes. This research paper focuses exclusively on a residential house owned by Mr Hassan al-Araji, as a case study that illustrates the characteristics of Mosul's basements. A basement is an architectural space designed below the building's level, or even below the ground level of its central courtyard. A ‘rahra’ is a wide, shallow basement whose term is associated with the people of Mosul. It is more common than a sardaab in Mosul. Hardly any house is without a ‘rahra or sardaab’ or both may be present in a building. One of the most important architectural characteristics of the basement under study is its duality as it consists of two levels. The first is a roofed vault supported by small arches supported by semicircular arches resting on columns, some of which stand alone in the middle of the space, while others are integrated into its walls. The regular layout of the basement is noticeable, and some of the house's facilities are located above it. From the vault, the second level of the basement can be reached via stairs leading to a deeper space. It is distinguished from the first space by its irregular layout. Furthermore, it is designed below the ground level of the central courtyard of the house, and its space is defined by thick walls of stone and plaster. Its columns are integrated into the walls, with one column standing alone in the center. This is attributed to the small size of this level of the basement compared to the space of the first level. These columns are supported by semicircular arches. It is noticeable that the columns and arches of the basement of the house on both levels are covered with Mosul marble, a characteristic of Mosul's Islamic architecture.