Vitalità dell’abitazione a sala centrale. Il caso degli edifici ottomani e delle “case borghesi” libanesi

Due to its strategic location, the Mediterranean basin has played a mediating role since ancient times. The most important civilizations that flourished and spread their control in the area- such as the Roman, Ottoman, and French-have left their marks in the culture, administration, laws, and architecture of the Levant. The cultural heritage observed is the result of stratification due to cultural and commercial exchanges, colonization and wars... Lately, however, some of it has been suffering. Due to natural disasters, economic crises and, above all, limited knowledge of the value of the structures, their demolition is eroding each country’s own identity. This geographical area groups some of the oldest cities in the world, such as Beirut and Istanbul, which this paper will deal with. Strong similarities are observed in the monuments of these centers, particularly in the dwellings. From the building materials to the tripartite composition of the floor plans, the housing types of these cities deserve to be studied in more detail in order to better understand their origin, influences and most importantly understanding what makes them unique and rooted in place.