Restoration Helps to Heal: The Bayt Wakīl - Project in Aleppo/Syria

The workplace in the courtyard.

The "Bayt Wakīl," a magnificent courtyard house in the historic city of Aleppo, represents the first reconstruction project of the Syrian Heritage Archive supported by the Gerda Henkel Foundation. This house, distinguished by its delicate window decoration, sustained severe damage during the Syrian civil war and the 2023 earthquake.

A special connection links the house to Germany, specifically Berlin: The Museum of Islamic Art, part of the Pergamon Museum in Berlin, houses the so-called Aleppo Room—a magnificent room-filling wall paneling that is currently undergoing restoration. According to Dr. Anne Mollenhauer, head of the archive project, this represents the oldest completely preserved wall paneling from Aleppo. Anne Mollenhauer and Dimah Dayoub, who heads the restoration work in Aleppo, are also active members of the Association of Friends of the Old City of Aleppo, through which further conservation projects will be carried out in the historic Syrian metropolis.

Other young conservation architects, including Sozdar Abdo and Rama Omar, complete the project team in Aleppo. Archaeologist Alaaeddin Haddad from the Museum of Islamic Art provides support for the work, primarily from Berlin.

The Heritage Ladies of Aleppo: Anne Mollenhauer, Rama Omar, Dimah Dayoub and Sozdar Abdo.

The art of stone carving is highly developed in Aleppo and boasts a long tradition that was interrupted by the war. As part of sustainable restoration efforts, seven trainees were taught sculptural techniques by Mohammad Shaykh Al-Ishra, a master craftsman, through a multi-month training program. Not only were parts of the original windows reconstructed, but historical spolia were also integrated with new components.

A student and his master Mohammad Shaykh Al-Ishra

However, conservation cleaning methods, crack repair through force-fitting techniques, the development and application of restoration mortars, and integrated retouching represent new areas of activity that are urgently needed in light of the extensive destruction. In May, we were commissioned to organize a workshop within the project to impart core skills in these conservation and restoration techniques, with generous support from the Gerda Henkel Foundation.

Due to Aleppo's traditional construction techniques, the decorated stones of the masonry's outer shell frequently became loose, collapsed, and sustained damage. Although the majority of these artfully crafted stones remained intact, their edges often broke off. Since the stones were originally laid without joints, the broken edges now visually interrupt the delicate decorative patterns. A similar situation exists with bullet holes, which have severely disfigured the stone surfaces.

For restoration purposes, a specialized mortar was developed to address these small-scale damaged areas. This mortar is compatible with the original stone while enabling reproduction of the delicate decoration. A modified hot-lime mortar has proven particularly effective for this application.

Cutting the form in the restoration mortar.

The local management team and restoration technicians received training in the production of the restoration mortar, its application, and retouching techniques. Specialized cleaning methods were also taught, and mortars for large-scale masonry detachments were developed and applied, along with low-pressure injection techniques for crack repair.

Through this approach, restoration that respects original forms can help heal the wounds inflicted by civil war and earthquake, contributing to the recovery of both the historical fabric and the community it serves.

Wanja Wedekind will present a report on the conservation and restoration work and the development of a compatible restoration mortar at the International Conference on Architectural Heritage and Contemporary Architecture (ICAHCA), which will take place from November 12 to 14, 2025, in Vienna, Austria.

Students, teachers, friends and project leaders.