Sharjah Institute for Heritage Explores the Inspiration of Cultural Heritage in Contemporary Interior Architecture Design

The Sharjah Institute for Heritage, represented by its Academic Administration, organised a scientific lecture on Tuesday entitled “Reinterpreting Heritage in Interior Architecture: From Cultural Heritage to a Contemporary Design Language.” The lecture was delivered by Dr Amani Hamdi at the Institute’s theatre, with in-person attendance and remote participation via Zoom, as part of the Institute’s knowledge-based programmes aimed at broadening the scope of research and dialogue on heritage and its contemporary applications.

Heritage and Identity in Design Language

The lecture highlighted the close relationship between cultural heritage and identity in the field of interior architecture, exploring ways to draw inspiration from traditional architectural elements and reinterpret them through modern creative approaches.

These elements included mashrabiya screens, courtyards and traditional wind towers (Barajeel), alongside traditional materials and crafts. They were presented as features embodying aesthetic and cultural values that can be transformed into functional components of contemporary design, achieving a harmonious balance between authenticity and innovation.

Practical Examples and Enriching Discussions

Dr Amani Hamdi also presented a range of practical examples illustrating strategies for reinterpreting cultural heritage and incorporating it into interior design. Particular emphasis was placed on transforming heritage elements from mere traditional architectural details into design features that respond to the requirements of contemporary life.

The lecture witnessed notable interaction among participants, with engaging discussions on opportunities to incorporate heritage elements into innovative modern design solutions, as well as the challenges of balancing the preservation of cultural identity with creative and technological developments in the design field.

Honouring the Lecturer

At the conclusion of the lecture, Dr Khalid Al Shehhi, Director of Academic Administration at the Institute, honoured Dr Amani Hamdi in recognition of her academic contribution and her role in enriching the intellectual discussion and highlighting new possibilities for incorporating cultural heritage into the development of contemporary interior architecture.

This lecture forms part of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage’s ongoing efforts to strengthen specialised knowledge, promote the presence of cultural heritage across creative and applied fields, and open new horizons for benefiting from its elements and aesthetic and human values. These efforts aim to ensure the sustainability of heritage and its continued relevance, transforming it from historical memory into an integral part of contemporary life.