10.6092/issn.1973-9494/9227
Il patrimonio costruito dell’epoca coloniale francese degli anni ’50 rappresenta la complessità dell’identità culturale ibrida ereditata dalla storia, ma attrae un minimo interesse e considerazione come patrimonio locale accettato. Questa ricerca si con­centra sulle opportunità e sui pregiudizi, sulle reinterpretazioni culturali e sul ruolo che una determinata società svolge nella definizione dell’identità culturale e patrimoniale. A questo scopo, il documento esplora quattro modelli di alloggi sociali e i loro deri­vati (Nid d’abeilles, Sémiramis, Trèfle e Brunie) costruiti durante il periodo coloniale francese tra il 1954 e il 1958 a Oran, in Algeria. L’analisi storica, supportata da uno studio qualitativo dell’evoluzione spazio-temporale di questi progetti di edilizia pub­blica, si basa sulla dinamica dei trasferimenti culturali. Mira a comprendere l’intreccio e l’evoluzione delle reinterpretazioni formali, organizzative e funzionali delle componenti architettoniche generate dagli architetti occidentali e rimodellate dalla popolazione lo­cale. Il risultato identifica l’alloggiamento culturale ibrido e mette in luce il ruolo centrale degli attori sociali nell’accettazione e nella sistemazione di modelli misti. Incoraggia l’identificazione di referenti biculturali sostenuti e integrati che riflettono l’identità cul­turale contemporanea.
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1973-9494
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Kheira Tabet Aoul
Conservation Science in Cultural Heritage
cultural transfers
The Integrated Bicultural Referent of the Built Colonial Heritage: Social Housing Models in Oran (1954–1958), Algeria
Text.Serial.Journal
https://conservation-science.unibo.it/
18
Articles
2018-12-31
2019-03-18
2018-12-31
2019-11-05
65-82
CSCH
Kheira Tabet Aoul
2018/12/31
10.6092/issn.1973-9494/9227
65
United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi
1973-9494
cultural transfers
en
82
The Integrated Bicultural Referent of the Built Colonial Heritage: Social Housing Models in Oran (1954–1958), Algeria
https://conservation-science.unibo.it/article/download/9227/9062
18
T     HE INTEGRATED BICULTURAL REFERENT OF THE
      BUILT COLONIAL HERITAGE: SOCIAL HOUSING
      MODELS IN ORAN (1954-1958), ALGERIA

    Loubna Kara Mostefa*3
    Université des Sciences et de la Technologie d’Oran Mohamed Boudiaf, USTO-MB,
    Oran, Algeria

    Kheira Tabet Aoul*
    Department of Architectural Engineering, College of Engineering
    United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates


    Keywords: built colonial heritage, cultural identity, social housing, cultural transfers


    1. Introduction

   The French colonial built heritage of the 20th century in Algeria is little addressed
by political discourse and is not considered as a component of the cultural and patri-
monial identity of the country. In this context, the city of Oran has witnessed significant
urban and architectural growth since the 1930s based on a prosperous mid-century
economy and capital inflows from the inner countryside as well as from France. As a
result, the construction sector called for a considerably larger workforce. This led to a
massive influx of rural labor which added to the city’s existing population and further
heightened the need for the provision of adequate housing. The rehousing of the rural




                                                                                                    CONSERVATION SCIENCE IN CULTURAL HERITAGE
or urban indigenous population with limited incomes required new housing models.
Specific housing design solutions attempted to respond to the local lifestyle. At the
same time, derivative models were designed for other ethnic groups (European and
Jewish). These projects, carried out initially in Morocco, were widely published and
publicized as part of the modern vernacular movement [1]. Indeed, they were part of
the various “experiments” undertaken in North Africa by metropolitan architects, sup-
ported by liberal politicians. The work of these architects was in symbiosis with the
International Modern Movement precepts and ideals of socio-cultural models which
dominated the architectural production of that time.
   Nonetheless, the limits of the spatial solutions should be noted, particularly their
relation to the historical, cultural and material referent that pre-existed the suggested
design. Presently part of the local architectural heritage, the models generated to re-
spond to the needs of the local population are not considered to be of cultural rel-
evance, despite the urgency to react adequately to the accelerated urban growth that
resulted from the increase in population and the rural exodus [2].
   In this regard, this paper addresses social housing models built in Oran, Algeria,
between 1954 and 1958, as components of modern postcolonial heritage. The study
examines four representative housing models: the Nid d’abeilles, Sémiramis buildings
and their two derived models, Trèfle and Brunie. The Trèfle apartments were a notice-

*   Corresponding authors: loubna.karamostefa@univ-usto.dz and kheira.anissa@uaeu.ac.ae

                                                                                               65
                                                                                          able exception as they were intended for European officials, whereas the other three
                                                                                          were dedicated to different economic and social categories of the indigenous Muslim
                                                                                          population [3].
                                                                                              It should be stressed here that the historical value of the addressed housing mod-
                                                                                          els may not provide the only basis for heritage recognition. In fact, the models are
                                                                                          assumed to be a bicultural hybrid response and as such, may potentially serve as a
                                                                                          vehicle for the production of more fitting current housing. There is therefore a need for
                                                                                          a critical analysis of its qualities and shortcomings. Ultimately, the analysis carried out
                                                                                          in this paper aims to identify the mixed heritage as the evolution of a cultural identity
                                                                                          model that is not necessarily dictated by postcolonial political ideology or defined by a
                                                                                          colonial scholarly thought, but informed by social dynamics.


                                                                                             2. Methodological approach
L. Mostefa, K. Aoul - The integrated bicultural referent of the built colonial heritage




                                                                                              The methodology relies on a historical approach to the colonial period as well as a
                                                                                          qualitative survey of the current housing condition. The combined approaches provide
                                                                                          on the one hand, an understanding of the temporal and spatial evolution of a culturally-
                                                                                          based architectural expression formalized by architects, and on the other, the double
                                                                                          role played by the local community in the housing projects under review. First, it ex-
                                                                                          plores the influential contribution of the local culture in shaping architectural models
                                                                                          as perceived by Western designers; then, an investigation is made of the reactions and
                                                                                          changes that the same community made to what was specifically designed for them.
                                                                                              Both approaches are based on the “cultural transfer” concept. The theoretical
                                                                                          framework and related concepts are developed from two disciplines; history and psy-
                                                                                          choanalysis. This conceptual framework is believed to be a potential theoretical contri-
                                                                                          bution to the historical analysis of the inherited patrimonial built environment.
                                                                                              For this purpose, the approach relied on two tools: at its inception, a monographic
                                                                                          work, based on rarely explored archives and literary sources from the colonial period
                                                                                          [2]. The main resources came from magazine archives [3- 4- 5- 6] and publications on
                                                                                          architects’ work [7]. This first investigation allowed a better understanding of the origi-
                                                                                          nal typologies, and thus, their successive developments. Subsequently, survey data
                                                                                          were collected through field observations, photographs, surveys and semi-directed
                                                                                          interviews carried out with 10 inhabitants for each project, 40 interviews in all. The
                                                                                          interviews with the inhabitants addressed four main spatial components in relation to:
                                                                                              •    accessibility to the building
                                                                                              •    accessibility to the housing unit
                                                                                              •    organization and use of the main housing spaces - i.e. courtyard or central
                                                                                                   space
                                                                                              •    openings and external spaces - i.e. windows, balconies and loggias
                                                                                              The objective was to verify the evolvement of the spatial components based on the
                                                                                          location, the organization of the various physical components, the function, and the
                                                                                          spatial and functional transformations.
                                                                                              This research unfolds in four parts; first, the concept of cultural transfers is ad-
                                                                                          dressed in relation to the research objective of this study; second, the representation of
                                                                                          cultural identity by both the present political ideology and architects is explored; third,
                                                                                          a historical analysis of the colonial models is carried out and finally, an analysis of their
                                                                                          postcolonial transformation is presented.


                                                                                     66
   3. Cultural transfers

    Cultural transfer is widely discussed in anthropology and psychology, particularly in
terms of its contribution to the construction of the general theory of acculturation [8].
However, this concept remains relevant in historical cultural studies, as is evident in
the significant works of Michel Espagne [9-10]. In this regard, and drawing experience
from various historical studies, prevailing research methodologies are revised, allow-
ing the redefinition of concepts such as intermixing, hybridization and translation to be
applied to complex cultural systems [11]. Giving a new meaning to the transferred ele-
ments generates new forms of hybridization and intermixing [12], which in turn provide
opportunities for a continuous renewal of the multiple cultural resources available to
the specific society [13].
    Methodologically, the cultural transfer concept explores two aspects. First, it ex-
plores the role of stakeholders, namely the architects through their thoughts and the
local users through their social practices. It assesses the flow of transfer between two
cultures and their superimpositions [12]. Indeed, the legacy transferred from local and
western cultural representations involves a process of continuous reinterpretation [13].
In architecture and urbanism, these influences are reflected in the transfer of styles to
generate new local and regional models [14]. This transfer into a new context gener-
ates a new meaning and role of the translated elements, since “translation can be
considered as a borrowing, importing or exporting of cultural items. It allows one to
describe and think about the cultural property transition between areas and to define
the intermixing” [15].
    On the other hand, the transfer of imposed cultural references, as in the case of
colonies, raises more complex questions about the impact of these references on local
and Western players. It also questions how well these references are identifiable and
appropriate. To this effect, “the analysis of cultural transfers is an effective heuristic tool
to identify the manifestations of cultural imbrications. Without providing a global expla-




                                                                                                       CONSERVATION SCIENCE IN CULTURAL HERITAGE
nation, it makes it possible to re-evaluate and highlight the part played by foreigners in
the construction of national identities. It operates a change of polarity and places the
relationship between stakeholders at the center of self-reflection” [15].
    In this regard, the method uses psychoanalytic concepts to explain spatial transla-
tions of local and western cultures as expressed by architects and users. This ap-
proach brings a critical view to the interpretation of production modes and appropria-
tion of spatial configurations. It refers to Lacan’s work on the concepts of signifier and
signified [16] and their applications to physical space.
    The interest of the contextualized approach lies in the observation of a superimpo-
sition of spatial “signifiers” and “signifieds” [16]. ‘Signifiers’ are defined by formal rep-
resentations resulting from reinterpretation of the culture of the ‘other’ [16]. ‘Signified’
corresponds to specific or appropriate spatial components defined by a given society
that has its own codes [16]. In the case of this study, these indicators are used in both
the historical and spatiotemporal analyses. They examine the combined characteris-
tics of the transferred representations. The aim is to make this space a language and
not a simple built environment [17].

    Therefore, the cultural referents analysis and their interweaving will be codified as
follows:



                                                                                                  67
                                                                                             signifiers: only the local architectural form is borrowed. This implies a non-integrat-
                                                                                          ed cultural hybridization;
                                                                                             signified: draws directly from the organizational structure and functions in relation to
                                                                                          local cultural codes and needs that represent an integrated cultural blend.


                                                                                             4. Cultural identity between political discourse and architects’ representa-
                                                                                                tions

                                                                                             The built heritage of the French colonial period testifies to the evolution of lifestyles
                                                                                          and enriches the historical value of the city [18]. It represents a past that has left visible
                                                                                          traces and continues to exert an influence on the present [18].
                                                                                             After the country’s independence in 1962, the lack of official recognition of the co-
                                                                                          lonial legacy may be justified by the relatively recent attempt to construct a national
                                                                                          identity, a rather short period compared to the one hundred and thirty-two year-long
L. Mostefa, K. Aoul - The integrated bicultural referent of the built colonial heritage




                                                                                          occupation, during which a devastating depersonalization process through assimila-
                                                                                          tion and acculturation of the local population was put in place [19]. However, this is not
                                                                                          the only reason for the current political denial of the colonial heritage. Indeed, deep
                                                                                          ideological convictions, political opportunism or intellectual laziness have developed
                                                                                          a self-centered cultural paradigm [20], clearly expressed in legislation. National Law
                                                                                          No. 98-04 of June 15, 1998 [21] on the protection of cultural heritage refers, through
                                                                                          the notion of “cultural property”, to the vestiges passed on by the various civilizations
                                                                                          which succeeded one another. Nevertheless, the reference to urban and rural ensem-
                                                                                          bles is reductionist and partial because they are limited to traditional Islamic elements
                                                                                          such as “Medinas, Casbahs, Ksours, ...” [21]. Political ideology identifies them as ex-
                                                                                          pressing knowledge and practices based on tradition. They are, therefore, the only
                                                                                          recognized spatial expressions representative of official cultural identity.
                                                                                             Comparatively, the built heritage of the French colonial era infers marginal interest
                                                                                          and consideration in terms of a recognized and accepted local heritage. Yet the build-
                                                                                          ings, spaces and cultures, identify Algerian cities as a completely mixed aftermath [19].
                                                                                          Therefore, it is important to review how traditional models were integrated into their de-
                                                                                          sign during the colonial period. It involves identifying the conditions and ways in which
                                                                                          architectural representations are accepted and adopted by society and thus, qualify as
                                                                                          being integrated into the cultural construction of the material heritage.
                                                                                             To that end, the study of the social housing historical context should provide a gen-
                                                                                          eral understanding of the different translations operated into the resulting design mod-
                                                                                          els and later popularized at the 1953 Ninth Congress of the Congrès Internationaux
                                                                                          d’Architecture Moderne (CIAM) in Aix-en-Provence, France. Under the direction of Le
                                                                                          Corbusier, projects and proposals were carried out in Algeria and Morocco, defining
                                                                                          the basis of a housing typology adapted to modern conditions. In this context, the
                                                                                          studies attributed more importance to anthropological investigations by exploring the
                                                                                          self-constructed habitat. They considered the lifestyles and socio-cultural needs of the
                                                                                          local population that settled in cities.
                                                                                             The first prominent example of this new design was a project by Roland Simounet
                                                                                          [22], the CIAM-Algiers group’s most well-known representative. He proposed individu-
                                                                                          al duplex apartments with loggias that attempted to integrate the social characteristics
                                                                                          of the local population [22]. However, the urban organization, developed according to
                                                                                          an organic structure resembling that of Algiers’ old quarters, La Casbah, with narrow


                                                                                     68
streets, was considered conducive to popular revolts. It was thought to be inappro-
priate for colonial control [22] and therefore could not constitute a universal modern
model. Conversely, the study carried out in Morocco, under the leadership of the Ur-
ban Planning Department’s head, Ecochard [23], had a different interest and was well
received by CIAM members. The team, composed of the GAMMA (Group of Modern
Moroccan Architects), which is affiliated with the CIAM and the ATBAT-Africa agency,
was managed by Bodiansky and animated by Candilis. They offered units with double-
height patios on the facade, superimposed over each other. But the vertical develop-
ment (Candilis referred to the desert fortresses called Ksours) reveals the ambiguity in
the use of the courtyard or patio. The courtyard is specific to a horizontal rural habitat,
whereas the patio is associated with an urban dwelling, as it could be developed verti-
cally.
   Consequently, if the courtyard is a passageway, between an exterior and an interior,
the patio (also called Wast-Eddar, center of the house) plays a rather more complex
role [24]. Beyond the essential role of aeration, lighting and receptacle of social inter-
actions, the patio allows the distribution and the organization of rooms and service
spaces. However, the exteriorized space on the façade separates it from its functional
role. The formal reinterpretation of the modern Muslim house by Candilis and his team
seems to be strongly influenced by Le Corbusier’s work and can be interpreted as the
result of his tenure at his former employer’s office.
   In fact, “the complex structure of the vertical buildings designed by Candilis and his
team is derived from Le Corbusier’s first vertical alveolar duplexes in 1925 in combina-
tion with Ecochard’s requirement to provide incoming Moroccan families with a court-
yard, in which sanitation fixtures and washing facilities, such as toilets and kitchens
were incorporated” [23, p. 243].
   It should be noted that these models were transformed by architects after their
implementation in Morocco. The analysis will discuss the relevance of the proposed
design.




                                                                                                   CONSERVATION SCIENCE IN CULTURAL HERITAGE
   5. Models in colonial times: cultural interweaving


   5.1.The Nid d’Abeilles and Sémiramis housing; the hybrid and non-cultural
   model

   The first attempts of adapted social housing models in the North African colonies
were initiated in Morocco by Ecochard and Candilis, the most representative being
Nid d’Abeilles and Sémiramis. These models found a wide field of expression in Oran
and later in several cities in western Algeria. The project was initiated in 1954, under
the supervision of a control structure, la Société Coopérative Musulmane Algérienne
d’Habitation et d’Accession à la Petite Propriété and a design firm, called l’Office Privé
du Logement Familial which was hired for the project. The latter happened to be also
the subsidiary of the Atbat in Oran [3]. The projects, on a fixed budget contract in Oran,
were to be directed by Candilis and two partners, Marcel Mauri and Denis Pons [3].
   Between 1955 and 1956, the first project was finished in a plaza called Korte, one
year after that of Casablanca. This relatively short period made it possible to review the
shortcomings noted in Casablanca so as to better adapt the project in Oran. However,


                                                                                              69
                                                                                          the plans maintained their system of distribution and articulation. The cells of the north-
                                                                                          south bar (in the case of Nid d’abeilles) replicated the pattern of circulation via north-
                                                                                          facing corridors, and double-height patios on the south side. One design change oc-
                                                                                          curred by separating the kitchen from the courtyard in Oran’s plans. This change is in
                                                                                          contradiction with what was reported in the Chantiers magazine. The separation of the
                                                                                          kitchen was meant to respond to the climatic conditions of inland cities [3] (Figure 1).
L. Mostefa, K. Aoul - The integrated bicultural referent of the built colonial heritage




                                                                                          Figure 1: Courtyard evolution in a Nid d’abeilles unitl: a) the original model showed a back side
                                                                                          courtyard that does not act as a transition to the rooms; b) transformations during construction
                                                                                          in Oran’s project: defining a smaller but independent courtyard by separating it from the kitchen
                                                                                          and toilet. (Source: a) Chantiers 32, 1959; b) Chantiers 32, 1959 with identification of changes
                                                                                          by Authors - legend).

                                                                                              Moreover, the unit plans of the east-west building (Sémiramis), which were thought
                                                                                          to have been improved [3], were modified after the first experience in Morocco. Here,
                                                                                          the architects added a room to the two existing ones and fitted in a corridor and toilet
                                                                                          which were previously located in the courtyard. These transformations changed the
                                                                                          relationship between the living spaces and the courtyard (Figures 2a and 2b). As ex-
                                                                                          plained above, the first models express a formal reinterpretation of the courtyard. The
                                                                                          architects reused it in Oran as a signifier, expressed essentially through a facade com-
                                                                                          ponent. The courtyard has progressively been separated from the other spaces, losing
                                                                                          its traditional organizational and structural role. These transformations bear witness to
                                                                                          the evolution of the lifestyle and inadequate reinterpretation of the traditional courtyard.
                                                                                          Candilis states explicitly in his commentary:
                                                                                              “The expression of individual housing, the cellular structure of the Nid d’abeilles, is
                                                                                          a comprehensible and usually very simple means of articulating the exterior facade of
                                                                                          a building. In economic housing in North Africa (Place Korte, Terrade), this expression
                                                                                          takes the form of individual patios” [7].




                                                                                     70
Figure 2. Courtyard design modification in a Sémiramis unit: a) the original model included a
front side courtyard connecting the rooms; b) transformation in Oran design: addition of a corridor
for room access; c)transformation in Oran built model: kitchen separated from the courtyard.
(Source: a) AA 57, 1954; b) Chantiers 32, 1959, c) identification of changes by Authors - legend).



   5.2.   The Trèfle development: the mixed model

    The Trèfle model was derived from local home designs developed by Candilis in
Morocco [4]. It was among the first expressions in Oran, in 1954, and contemporary to
the Casablanca projects. This type of model seems to present a certain quality in the
search to adapt to the urban context. Hierarchical transitions are carried out by a set
of articulated devices such as different levels, the courtyard, and the raised street on




                                                                                                           CONSERVATION SCIENCE IN CULTURAL HERITAGE
the façade side (Figure 3).
    The staircase, integrated into the façade, serves one unit at every split-level. How-
ever, the unit presents a different configuration, compared to the cell intended for the
local population. A mutation was observed in the distribution of rooms and service
spaces: instead of being adjacent to a courtyard, they are organized around a multipur-
pose central space, a living space for meeting, taking meals, playing, etc. Intended or
not, this type of space planning is close to that of a patio in the traditional local house
in terms of its multi-functionality and organizational role.
    The staircase serves one dwelling at each half-level, thus offering some privacy, yet
the unit’s configuration is different from the indigenous model. The rooms are orga-
nized around a versatile central space intended for living, eating and socializing. This
arrangement developed, either consciously or unconsciously, is close to that of the
traditional Islamic house. In all, it is assimilated to the organizational role and function
of the patio. For this purpose, the central space constitutes a signified reinterpretation
that responds to organizational and cultural needs. On the other hand, the connection
of the unit to the exterior is via a large loggia on the west side and a balcony with sub-
stantial proportions on the east side. These elements, specific to the European way
of life, express the Western spatial signified, which seem to respond to the needs of
modern mixed housing (Figures 4a and 4b).



                                                                                                      71
L. Mostefa, K. Aoul - The integrated bicultural referent of the built colonial heritage




                                                                                          Figure 3. Transitional design elements from the street in the Trèfle building: a) An overview of the
                                                                                          transition in building design elements (stairs, raised passageway, covered courtyard); b) raised
                                                                                          passageway; c) covered courtyard (Source: Authors).



                                                                                             5.3 The Brunie Apartments; advanced or hybrid model?

                                                                                              The Brunie Apartments, the fourth case study investigated in this research, express
                                                                                          a continuous reinterpretation of the models on both sides of the Mediterranean Sea.
                                                                                          It represents an evolution of Candilis’ thought if one considers his experience in the
                                                                                          design of such buildings. The Operation Million project, which he developed with his
                                                                                          agency in Paris, was re-adapted to the local context by the architects Mauri and Pons
                                                                                          [3]. One of the first achievements of this type was realized in the Brunie neighborhood,
                                                                                          in 1956. The houses, intended for Muslim officials, borrow certain characteristics from
                                                                                          the Trèfle housing: a reduction in the number of units served by the stairs (two or ex-
                                                                                          ceptionally four for each level) and the interior configuration of the buildings arranged
                                                                                          around the central space (Figures 5a and 5b).




                                                                                     72
Figure 4. Interior and exterior building components in the Trèfle unit: a) plan identifying central and
exterior components; b) balconies on the inner façade (Source: Authors).



   However, balconies were kept on the front facades only, which represent 28 per
cent of all housing (Figure 5b). This compromise had an impact on the overall quality of
the units, given the obvious usefulness of this space. However, it should be noted that
the cost of this model was intentionally reduced in Algeria to 900,000 FFs, compared
to the 1 million FFs allowed for similar units in metropolitan France This lower price
may explain the omission of some outdoor building elements. In this case, the partial
reinterpretation of the bicultural components qualifies them as signifiers.




                                                                                                               CONSERVATION SCIENCE IN CULTURAL HERITAGE




Figure 5. Central space in a Brunie unit: a) the plan identifies the central main space and its
organizing role; b) the absence of balconies or loggias along the façade prevents any potential
future space usage. (Source: a) Chantiers, 32, 1959; b) Authors).




                                                                                                          73
                                                                                             6. Models in the postcolonial period: permanence of the signified and muta-
                                                                                             tion of the signifiers

                                                                                             The observations, surveys and interviews carried out in 2016 / 2017 in 10 units of
                                                                                          each housing development reveal contrasting transformations, either in the form of
                                                                                          mutations, maintenance or evolution of the original designed ones. The field investiga-
                                                                                          tion aims to verify transformations or adaptations of models inherited by local users.
                                                                                          They reveal the evolution of the signifiers and the signifieds identified above corre-
                                                                                          sponding to hybrid and mixed models. The analysis enables the identification of the
                                                                                          spatio-cutural composition that responded best to the needs of the local community as
                                                                                          well as representing its cultural identity


                                                                                             6.1. Nid d’abeilles and Sémiramis; mutation of hybrid signifiers  
L. Mostefa, K. Aoul - The integrated bicultural referent of the built colonial heritage




                                                                                             The upper level apartments of the Nid d’abeilles are accessible via a central open
                                                                                          staircase and a long narrow passageway. The on-site survey indicates that the resi-
                                                                                          dents appreciate the exterior open staircase but not the passageway. As a result, on al-
                                                                                          most all levels, the original occupants raised a significant portion of the parapet (Figure
                                                                                          6). This transformation generated an appropriation of this space, when it was possible,
                                                                                          occurring mainly for the end passageway units (Figure7).




                                                                                          Figure 6. Elevation of the parapet in Nid d’abeilles building for more privacy (Source: Authors).



                                                                                              This modification expresses a quest for privacy right at the unit’s threshold. This
                                                                                          modification seems to attempt to replicate the Skiffa’s role in the traditional urban
                                                                                          house. The Skiffa is a separate space that protects the visual privacy of the patio
                                                                                          from the exterior. However, the reinterpretation of this space in the Nid d’abeilles unit
                                                                                          is expressed by a wall panel within the main room (Figure. 1). As a result, this spatial
                                                                                          translation does not respond to the need for privacy.
                                                                                              In addition, the southern courtyards, intended to provide light and ventilation for ad-
                                                                                          jacent rooms, underwent fundamental changes made by the occupants, which affected
                                                                                          their form and function. The double height is reduced by half and is expressed in the
                                                                                          different types of closures, which are permanent, partial or full. Currently, the annexed


                                                                                     74
space was used to accommodate a bathroom, a shower or a protected drying rack. In
most cases, the wall separating the yard from the kitchen has been removed to install
appliances or a multifunctional table (Figures 8a and 8b). This mutation dissolves the
climatic role of the courtyard and engenders an unhealthy housing environment due to
limited access for ventilation and natural sunlight.




Figure 7. Appropriation of the passageways in the Nid d’abeilles building as a result of an elevated
parapet (Source: Authors).




                                                                                                            CONSERVATION SCIENCE IN CULTURAL HERITAGE
    On the North façade, the raised openings, as designed in the original Moroccan
model, were eliminated by the architects in the Oran projects [5]. They had to guaran-
tee, among other things, the ventilation of the rooms [5]. We suppose that the modi-
fications made on the kitchen side of the unit necessitated compromises such as the
suppression of the openings on the north side (in view of the tight project budget).
Abandoning these building elements negatively impact on comfort in the unit, leading
to high indoor humidity. It is important to note that this discomfort is also exacerbated
by the lack of insulation, as the exterior wall is made of a single layer of hollow brick
without any insulation and a low level of daylight, a result of the deep recessed rooms
in the south facade.
    According to the first results of our analysis, the model represents a mere cultural
hybridization of signifiers and does not provide an organizational and functional struc-
ture adapted to the evolution of the local culture. The same transformation process
was observed in the Sémiramis apartments, where the corridors and the private court-
yards curtailed their traditional multifunctional family uses. The changes involved the
appropriation of the passageways playing a new role - a transition to private spaces.
In this case, they replaced the traditional vestibule (Skiffa) that precedes the private
courtyard. This taking over of an originally public space often started as an outdoor
space for drying clothes (Figure 9a). Nevertheless, being larger than those of the Nid
d’abeilles model, the passageways were not completely closed but secured with metal

                                                                                                       75
                                                                                          grilles. Others were partially covered with a roof to accommodate a bathroom and a
                                                                                          toilet (Figure 9b). The encroachment on public space is completely different on the top
                                                                                          floor. Here, the inhabitants self-appropriated the roof to accommodate their extended
                                                                                          family (Figure 9c).
L. Mostefa, K. Aoul - The integrated bicultural referent of the built colonial heritage




                                                                                          Figure 8. Courtyard transformation in the Nid d’abeilles appartments: a)view from the outside;
                                                                                          enclosed area reduced from double to single height as an extension to the inner space; b) view
                                                                                          from the inside, where the courtyard was added to the existing small kitchen (Source: Authors).



                                                                                             In general, the height of the openings was maintained despite the fact they inter-
                                                                                          rupted the view to the outside. The interviews reveal that the users have usually given
                                                                                          priority to privacy despite the feeling of confinement. The narrowness of the rooms
                                                                                          (2.50m wide) and their cluttering with furniture prevent any modification with fixed fea-
                                                                                          tures. In some cases, they are merged into a single area to become a large multifunc-
                                                                                          tional living room.
                                                                                             Although this model also presents ambiguities in the local cultural translation of
                                                                                          building elements, the separation of the courtyard from the access to the bedrooms
                                                                                          and the lack of service spaces (such as the bathroom and storage space) generate a
                                                                                          partial occupation of this area. As a result, its functional role is lost, and the organiza-
                                                                                          tion of the cell is not optimized.
                                                                                             These buildings are in a state of advanced deterioration. Their occupants do not
                                                                                          identify themselves with this type of habitat. In their remarks during the survey, they
                                                                                          wish for a better living environment than these models, which are thought to express
                                                                                          misery and discomfort rather than modernity.


                                                                                             6.2. Trèfle; persistence of mixed cultural signified

                                                                                              In the Trèfle apartment, a different type of behavior has been observed. The occu-
                                                                                          pants appreciate the spatial transitions offered by the staircase, the courtyard and the
                                                                                          raised street. Without using additional partitions or raised walls, these building solu-
                                                                                          tions act as boundaries that create semi-private spaces and avoid any risk of intrusion.
                                                                                          At the level of the unit, different arrangements have been made by occupants to adapt
                                                                                          to their needs, without generating major physical changes.
                                                                                              The central space continues to function as a living, meeting, eating and play area.

                                                                                     76
If, in some cases, it is not arranged as the main living room, the adjacent room which
overlooks the loggia becomes a reception room, a major space in local culture. On the
other hand, the large storage area between the rooms allows flexibility in the modifica-
tion of their accesses or their extensions to favor peripheral paths (Figures 10a and
10b).
     The loggia in the front façade presents a generous surface of 9m2 bringing light and
ventilation to the central living room as well as allowing multi-usage, for example, as a
living room adjoining the central space, a play area for children or a household service.
Its original access from the central space is often abandoned and reoriented towards
the front door. Balconies also become service spaces due to their large surface areas
(4.5 m2). However, for practical reasons and privacy, they are systematically covered
and secured by the occupants using grilles or wire mesh (Figure 4a).
     The modification is atypical as it is appropriate to current representations and the lo-
cal way of life. The L-shaped openings that frame the façade have been filled. Only the
central section is left open and accessible. This redesign corresponds to the cultural
and functional needs of the occupants.




                                                                                                     CONSERVATION SCIENCE IN CULTURAL HERITAGE




Figure 9. Passageways and courtyard appropriations in the Sémiramis building: a) occupation
of passageways as a cloth-drying space; b) partial occupation of the courtyard; c) courtyard
transformation, enclosure / small staircase built for the upper level (Source: Authors).




                                                                                                77
                                                                                          Figure 10. Accommodation of access and circulation in the Trèfle Housing unit: a) maintain
L. Mostefa, K. Aoul - The integrated bicultural referent of the built colonial heritage




                                                                                          preservation of spatial relations as a result of the central location of main space and a large
                                                                                          storage area; b) change of loggia access depending on its use (Source: Authors).



                                                                                             Apart from the recurrent complaints about antiquated utility services, the residents
                                                                                          appreciate the conviviality that their urban and architectural environments provide.
                                                                                          They would, however, like an additional surface at the entrance to preserve privacy.
                                                                                          These dwellings, originally intended for a European population, continue to function
                                                                                          without major changes. The persistence of certain spatial components reflects their
                                                                                          ownership and acceptance by the population.
                                                                                             The central living space, completed by the external space components identified
                                                                                          above as cultural mixed signified, appears to be suitable to the occupants’ culture and
                                                                                          contemporary needs.


                                                                                             6.3. Brunie; mutation of hybrid signifiers  

                                                                                             In contrast, the reaction of the current population of the Brunie development is more
                                                                                          radical. At an urban level, the limits of the built area are not clearly defined.
                                                                                             This situation has engendered large-scale illegal occupation of the external spaces
                                                                                          by extending the inner private space or by creating enclosed courtyards on the ground
                                                                                          floor. The passageways are exploited randomly, depending on the opportunity: drying
                                                                                          racks, or appropriated as entrance extensions that were missing in the original design
                                                                                          (Figures 11a and b).
                                                                                             In the apartment, although there is a central space, the absence of loggias or bal-
                                                                                          conies constitutes a daily constraint. According to the descendants of the first Brunie
                                                                                          inhabitants who still occupy their parents’ units, initially, outdoor drying racks, grouped
                                                                                          per 4 units, were planned in the back yard of the development. They were intended to
                                                                                          replace the outer extensions of the unit (such as balconies or loggias). But they were
                                                                                          soon abandoned due to their lack of privacy and distance from the unit.
                                                                                             The central space (contrary to what was observed in the European model) is not
                                                                                          complemented by loggias or balconies. In this case, the suppression of external com-
                                                                                          ponents makes the hybrid signifiers inappropriate for the inhabitants’ contemporary
                                                                                          needs. The inhabitants complained about the lack of basic spaces essential to the


                                                                                     78
proper function of the unit. As a consequence, the smaller rooms serve for drying
clothes and are often congested by cupboards. Many homes are rented to students or
young couples for short stays. In the owner-occupied units, there is a general hope for
a rapid relocation to better accommodation. They expressed no regrets at the prospect
of leaving this housing complex that is presently experiencing a high level of deteriora-
tion.




Figure 11. Appropriation of the passageway in the Brunie housing: a) view of passageway
appropriation; b) view of the other side, same appropriation (Source: Authors).



   7. Conclusion: the intermixed cultural referent of the built heritage

    In the fifties, new forms of public housing resulting from cultural interweaving were
developed and adapted to suit the local population of occupied North Africa. Some




                                                                                                    CONSERVATION SCIENCE IN CULTURAL HERITAGE
models could constitute a built cultural heritage. They are representative of the local
cultural identity but are not considered by the current political mainstream. This study
has explored four cases of social housing in Oran, built between 1954 and 1958, to
identify the most expressive models of contemporary cultural identity. To this end, the
analysis based on the cultural transfer concept has addressed the various reinterpre-
tations of the bicultural referents and emphasized the role of the local community to
validate models that better meet cultural codes and contemporary needs.
    The Nid d’abeilles, Sémiramis and Brunie housing projects, initially intended for a
Muslim population, represent hybrid signifiers, not adapted to local cultural codes or to
the needs of contemporary life. However, the Trèfle model, which is derived from the
initial modern Muslim models and intended for Europeans, represents an integrated
cultural hybrid signified. It is best suited to the local organizational structure and func-
tional needs of modern life. The organization of the cell around the central space is
similar to that of the traditional house around the patio. In addition, Western cultural
components such as loggias and balconies introduce the extroverted relationship of
the cell with the outside and are easily adapted to contemporary needs.
    The inhabitants’ behaviour and practices inside the housing units has reinforced the
hybrid character of these models. The processes of mutation or permanence of the
global spatial structure and functions are indicators of their cultural identity.
    Furthermore, this exploration opens up new opportunities to decolonize cultural


                                                                                               79
                                                                                          identity. The study provides a critical review of the identification and recognition of the
                                                                                          integrated built bi-cultural heritage and suggests the necessary codes to adopt in the
                                                                                          experimentation of future projects.


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   Biographical Notes

   Loubna Kara Mostefa is an architect and PhD candidate. Her teaching focuses
on local vernacular architecture and its impact on the evolution of colonial architecture
at the University of Science and Technology of Oran, Algeria. She specializes in the
theory of cultural transfers and identity issues, related to the colonial heritage of the
twentieth century.

   Kheira Tabet Aoul is a Professor of Architecture at the United Arab Emirates Uni-




                                                                                                      CONSERVATION SCIENCE IN CULTURAL HERITAGE
versity, UAE. She draws from over 25 years of international academic and professional
experience in Algeria, USA and the Middle East. Her research focuses on green build-
ings, sustainable heritage conservation and human factors in the built environment.

    Summary
    The built heritage of the 1950s French colonial era represents the complexity of the
hybrid cultural identity bequeathed by history but attracts minimal interest and consid-
eration as an accepted local heritage. This research focuses on the opportunities and
misconceptions about cultural reinterpretations and on the role a given society plays in
the definition of cultural and patrimonial identity. For this purpose, the paper explores
four social housing models and their derivatives (Nid d’abeilles, Sémiramis, Trèfle and
Brunie) built during the French colonial period between 1954 and 1958 in Oran, Alge-
ria. The historical analysis, supported by a qualitative study of the spatio-temporal evo-
lution of these public housing projects, is based on the dynamics of cultural transfers. It
aims to understand the interweaving and evolution of formal, organizational and func-
tional reinterpretations of architectural components generated by western architects
and remodeled by the local population. The result identifies hybrid cultural housing and
highlights the pivotal role of social stakeholders in the acceptance and accommodation
of mixed models. It encourages the identification of sustained and integrated bicultural
referents which reflect the contemporary cultural identity.


                                                                                                 81
                                                                                              Riassunto
                                                                                              Il patrimonio costruito dell’epoca coloniale francese degli anni ‘50 rappresenta la
                                                                                          complessità dell’identità culturale ibrida ereditata dalla storia, ma attrae un minimo
                                                                                          interesse e considerazione come patrimonio locale accettato. Questa ricerca si con-
                                                                                          centra sulle opportunità e sui pregiudizi, sulle reinterpretazioni culturali e sul ruolo che
                                                                                          una determinata società svolge nella definizione dell’identità culturale e patrimoniale.
                                                                                          A questo scopo, il documento esplora quattro modelli di alloggi sociali e i loro deri-
                                                                                          vati ​​(Nid d’abeilles, Sémiramis, Trèfle e Brunie) costruiti durante il periodo coloniale
                                                                                          francese tra il 1954 e il 1958 a Oran, in Algeria. L’analisi storica, supportata da uno
                                                                                          studio qualitativo dell’evoluzione spazio-temporale di questi progetti di edilizia pub-
                                                                                          blica, si basa sulla dinamica dei trasferimenti culturali. Mira a comprendere l’intreccio e
                                                                                          l’evoluzione delle reinterpretazioni formali, organizzative e funzionali delle componenti
                                                                                          architettoniche generate dagli architetti occidentali e rimodellate dalla popolazione lo-
                                                                                          cale. Il risultato identifica l’alloggiamento culturale ibrido e mette in luce il ruolo centrale
                                                                                          degli attori sociali nell’accettazione e nella sistemazione di modelli misti. Incoraggia
L. Mostefa, K. Aoul - The integrated bicultural referent of the built colonial heritage




                                                                                          l’identificazione di referenti biculturali sostenuti e integrati che riflettono l’identità cul-
                                                                                          turale contemporanea.




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