About Us

The architectural scene in Syria underwent a profound transformation around the turn of the twentieth century, marked by the emergence of modern thought against a backdrop of shifting political and social dynamics, most notable in the rise of a national identity that accompanied the end of the Ottoman period. This transformation came parallel to the urban expansion of Syrian cities away from their historical cores, causing the surfacing of novel urban functions that brought forth new architectural typologies, materials, and construction methods, which would shape the architectural practice and the urban settings of Syrian cities.

The production of modernity in Syria and the region was rarely examined in the global historical modernist discourse. This neglect (or disinterest) has left a gap in the local and global understanding of the region’s modern histories, halting knowledge production and critical analysis. The result is that despite the urgent and increasing demand to deconstruct the long-prevailing Euro-centric narrative and build a local alternative, efforts to do so are often hindered by the absence of local data repositories that can serve as a foundation upon which such local narratives can be built. 

AMASyria is an attempt to bridge this knowledge gap. It is an initiative founded on the belief in the public’s right to access knowledge, and on prioritizing local perspectives from Syria and the region in the telling of its history. Therefore, we aim to establish an accessible and inclusive archive that challenges the monopoly of institutional archives, promoting a collective effort in writing history and steering the regional discourse.

AMASyria provides audiences with an easy-to-reach bilingual (English and Arabic) digital platform showcasing the architectural experience of 20th-century Syria, depicted through architectural, urban, and artistic projects designed in Syria or by Syrian architects, as well as the lives and stories of generations of architectural pioneers, and the various institutions that played a part in shaping the architectural practice and urban scene. The archive includes architectural documents and drawings, photographs both old and recent, competition booklets, sketches, official project descriptions, and oral histories as told by architects or their families and acquaintances. 

Our open digital archive allows the sharing and circulation of data, contributing to a larger ecosystem that seeks to foster collective knowledge through partnerships and collaborations that transcend geographical constraints. It represents an open call for scholars, institutions, and, above all, the public, to critically analyze and contextualize this knowledge and offer continuous feedback and assessment, for we believe that this collective effort and continued open dialogue are the first crucial steps towards steering the future of the architectural practice and shaping the urban reality of our cities.