SHAHER MOH'D AHMAD RABABEH

Shaher Moh'd Ahmed Rababeh	Professor
Construction Techniques of the Freestanding Buildings and Rock-Cut Monuments
Faculty of Engineering	Department of Architecture Engineering
srababeh@hu.edu.jo
ORCID ID :
Office No. : 4994	EXT : 3232

C.V. Document file as PDF:

Ph.D.	University of Oxford, UK,	United Kingdom,2005
Master	University of Oxford, UK,	United Kingdom,2002
Bachelor	Yarmouk University, Jordan,	Jordan,1987


Dr. Shaher Rababeh, the author of How Petra was Built, is an assistant professor of architecture, the head of the Department of Architecture, and the director of the Department of Engineering Projects at the Hashemite University, Jordan, as well as a member of its Department of Conservation Sciences. He received his BSc in Architectural Engineering from Yarmouk University in 1987. From the University of Oxford he was awarded his MSt in Classical Architecture and DPhil. in Architectural Construction Techniques and Methods of Design, in 2005. His interests include architectural history, construction methods and technology, architectural design and building conservation. His work has covered many major monuments in Jordan, ranging from Petra and Gerasa, the Desert Palaces, to modern buildings.
As a result of his combination of academic qualifications, knowledge, experience, and skills he is making a unique contribution to researching and teaching architecture in Jordan. His experience as a practicing architect has given him firsthand knowledge of using the construction materials naturally available in Jordan. He has then applied this to his study of Nabataean construction techniques, discovering and demonstrating how the Nabataeans worked with these to develop their own construction techniques. He has applied this same knowledge to study modern Jordanian architecture, and how identity is expressed in both its ancient and modern forms.
Rababeh's focus on buildings involves architectural aspects, such as analyzing how space is used and how this changed with time. His interests are focused on the symbolism of the building and its connection with both the architectural design and the construction techniques used to create spectacular architectural achievements. These include analysis of the structural system employed and the way the building site was organized for large structures. He looks at particular building methods relating to materials and techniques that were developed to allow the builders to construct larger and more complex structures. He then relates these techniques to the social and economic contexts in which they occur and explores how these change over time; from the earliest buildings to the present. His examination of building techniques also demonstrates how the building industry worked, taking into account the availability of the building materials. He has also collaborated with scholars from other disciplines, such as geology, which provides information about the availability of building materials, how this affects earthquake damage.
           
•Cultural Resources Management                                  
•Architectural History and Archaeology
•Construction Methods and Techniques                           
•Rock-Cut Architecture
•Architectural Design and Conservation                            
•Urban Planning and Landscape
•Museum Architecture                                             
•Classical and Islamic Architecture
•Evaluating the Stability of Historic Buildings and their Restoration
•Tourism Industry 
•Environmental Control and Cultural Heritage Protection    
•Quality Assurance
•Construction Management and Safety

 PUBLISHED BOOK:
2005 Rababeh, S. HOW PETRA WAS BUILT: An Analysis of the Construction Techniques of the Nabataean Freestanding Buildings and Rock-cut Monuments in Petra, Jordan. (Oxford) ISBN: 1-84171-898-x.

ARTICLES:
2010 El-Mashaleh, M.; Al-Smadi, B; Hyari, K; Rababeh, S. "Safety in the Jordanian Construction Industry". Jordan Journal of Civil Engineering, Vol.4, No.1.Pp: 47-54.

2010 El-Mashaleh; Rababeh, S.; Hyari, K. "Utilizing data envelopment analysis to benchmark safety performance of construction contractors". International Journal of Project Management, Vol.28, Issue.1.Pp: 61-67.

2010 Rababeh, S.; Mashaleh, M.; Malaabeh, A.; "Factors Determining the Choice of the Construction Techniques in Petra, Jordan". Journal of Architectural Heritage and Conservation, (accepted).

2010 Rababeh, S. "Nabataean Architectural Identity and its Impact on Contemporary Architecture in
Jordan", Dirasat (Accepted: will be published in April 2010 in Vol. 37, No.1).

2010 Rababeh, S. "Construction Techniques of the Great Temple: How the Great Temple was Built". In the Great Temple, Vol. III. Edited by Martha Joukowsky. Providence, RI: Brown University, Petra Exploration Fund. (accepted).

2008 Abdelaziz, M. and Rababeh, S. "The Terminology Used to Describe Tombs in the Nabataean
Inscriptions and its Architectural Context". Levant, Vol. 40.No. 2.Pp: 177-183.

2008 Rababeh, S. "The Temples of Zeus and Artemis and Their Relation to the Urban Context of Gerasa", ARAM, (Accepted).

2008 Rababeh, S. "The Structural and Architectural Values of Petra Monuments". Al-Yarmouk
Univrsity Journal, no. 94.

FUTURE PUBLICATIONS
-Rababeh, S. "Islamic Architectural Identity and its Impact on Contemporary Architecture in
Jordan: The case of the Desert Palaces".
- Rababeh, S. and Abu Khafajeh, S. "The Impacts of Building's Indoor and Outdoor Spaces Layout on
Energy Consumption in Hot Arid Regions: The Hashemite University Campus Jordan".
-Abu Khafajeh, S. and Rababeh, S. "The Silence of Meanings in Conventional Approaches to
Cultural Heritage in Jordan: The Exclusion of Contexts and the Marginalisation of the
Intangible".
-Rababeh, S.; Qablan, Husam; Mashaleh, Tantawi, H. "Structural Utilization of
Wooden Beams as Anti-Seismic and Stabilising Techniques in Stone Masonry on the
Qasr el-Bint, Petra, Jordan".
-Rababeh, S.; Mashaleh, M.; Malaabeh, A.; "Technical Utilization of Lifting Devices for Construction Purposes in Gerasa".
-Rababeh, S.; Mashaleh, M. "Construction Management Rules Used in Carving the Treasury of Petra".
-Rababeh, S. "The Crowstep Motif in Nabataean and Islamic Architecture: Its Meaning and Origin".
-Rababeh, S.; Mashaleh, M.; Marai, I. "Structural Utilization of Tie-Beams for Strengthening Stone Masonry Arches in Nabataean and Islamic Historical Construction".
-Rababeh, S.; AL-Rabady, R.; Jarrar, O. "The Function and the Form of the Colonnaded Street".
-Rababeh, S.; Malaabeh, A.; Al-Gadhi, G. " Umm el-Jimal: Properties of Building Materials and their Effect on Construction Techniques".
-Rababeh, S. "How Petra and Medain Saleh were Built". National Conference of Petra Researches and its Conservation III.
-Rababeh, S. "Landscape Features: Its affect on the man settlement in Wadi es-Shallalah and Wadi Rahoub in North Jordan", Sixth Conference of History and Archaeology, Torino, Italy. Studies in the History and Archaeology of Jordan, VI.
-Rababeh, S. "El-Nabi Hood Village: Ethnoarchaeological Study ", Unpublished (55 Pages).
-Rababeh, S. "Geological Formation and its Affect on the Design of the Rock-cut Monumental Facades at Petra and Medain Saleh", Unpublished (15 pages).
-Rababeh, S. "Rural Planning, Case study Kufr Rakeb Village, Fieldwork Study, " Unpublished (30 pages).
-Rababeh, S. "Libraries, Architectural Study ". Unpublished book (Bsc. thesis, 180 pages)

 MSc THESES EXAMINED
•
Jalboosh, F. (2009) “The Architecture of the Ummayyad Settlement around Qasr Al-Hallabat, Jordan” (The Hashemite University).
•
Al-Khoury, L. (2009) “The Roman and Byzantine Pottery from Yasileh Tombs: A Comparative Study” (Yarmouk University).
•
Ameen, M. (2008) “Archaeo and Eco-tourism for Qaser Aseikhem and Surrounding Area in Badia Jordanian: A Field Study.” (The Hashemite University).
•
Al-Hosban, S. (2007) “Assessment of Resdential Subdivision Practice in Jordan on the Light of Conceptual Sustainable Neibhgourhood Layout.” (Jordan University for Science and Technology).
•
Dagamseh, K. (2007) "Geotechnical Evaluation of Umm Qays basalts for Constuction Porpuses"(The Hashemite University).
•
Frehat, M. (2006) “Environmental and Geological Evaluation of Newly Discovered al-Hamideyia Lava Tunnel, Ne-Jordan; and their Conservation Possibilities as a Potential Geoptop." (The Hashemite University).
•
Al-Amoush, H. (2006) “Mineralogical and Geotechnical Evaluation of Limestone in Wadi Al-Ghadaf, Jordan.” (The Hashemite University).
MSc THESES SUPERVISED
•
Edwan, R. , (2008) "Geotechnical Evaluation Physical and Mechanical Properties) of Limestone Rocks in Wadi Al-Ish and Ras Al-Ayn, Amman" (The Hashemite University).
•
Abu Mu'lla, F. , (2008) "Engineering Evaluation of Lower Cretaceous Sandstone in Jordan for possible construction applications"(The Hashemite University).
•
Abu-Mahfouz, I. (2006) "Petrogenesis of Irbid District Basalt Rocks (Al-Tura-Beit Ras), Northern Jordan and their Engineering Evaluation as Building and Construction Materials". (The Hashemite University).

 Academic Experience:
August 2006 – present   
     -Departmental Head (Establisher), Department of Architectural Engineering, Faculty of Engineering. The Hashemite University,  Jordan.
     -Departmental Director (Establisher), Department of Engineering Projects. The Hashemite University, Jordan.
     -Member of the Queen Rania Institute for Tourism and Heritage. The Hashemite University, Jordan.
       
August 2005 – August 2006      
     -Assistant Professor in the Department of Conservation, Queen Rania Institute of Tourisim and Heritage, The Hashemite University, Jordan.

October 1995 – December 1996   
     -Teaching Assistant in Department of Architecture, Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST), Jordan.

Experience Directing Field Project at Petra
2001 – 2005 Director of the field work at Petra for my DPhil thesis.

Archaeological Excavation and Survey Field Experience with Others :
1987 – 2005
 - Participation in the following archaeological excavations: 
•	Khirbet Zeragoon: Early Bronze site, 3 seasons of excavation (1986, 1987, 1989), with Prof. M. Ibrahim and Prof. S. Mittman.
•	Yasila: Classical site, first season of excavation (1989), with Prof. Z. el-Muheisen.
•	Ein Gazal, Wadi Shuaib: Neolithic sites (1988), with Prof. Z. Kafafi, and Prof. Garry      Rolefson.
•	Abu al-Thwabb: Neolithic site (1989 ), with Prof. Z. Kafafi.
•	Tal al Fukhar: Late Bronze site, first season (1989), with Dr. J. Strange.
•	Wadi al-Yabbis Survey: Archaeological Survey (1990), with Dr. J. Mabry.
•	Wadi es-Shallalah and Wadi Rahoub survey (1990): Archaeological survey, with Prof. S. Mittman.
•	The Great Temple Excavation, Petra: Graeco-Roman site (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005), with Prof. M. Joukowsky.


Commercial Architectural Field Experience:
1987 – 2000 
 -Director of Al-Madineh Engineering Office (Owner), Al – Huson St, Irbid, Jordan. 
Responsibilities:
•	Management of project team functions.
•	Development of subcontracts, tender packages, specifications, and schedules.
•	Supervision and co-ordination of  multiple contractors.
•	Supervision of a team of 150 staff.
•	Planned, arranged and hosted a team building away day.
•	Control and direction of a multi-disciplinary, multi-national work force.
•	Preparation of weekly and monthly reports to client.
•	Compliance with corporate, health and safety management systems.

Achievements:
•	Overall management of projects from conception to completion developed.
•	Improving staff morale and productivity. 
•	Improving communications within the office.

1992 – 2000  
-Building arbitrator in the Government Courts of Jordan. 
Responsibilities: 
•	Preparing reports to the court.
Achievements:
•	Dispute resolution experience.

Museulogy Science,
 Stability Evaluation of Historic Buildings,
 Building Conservation,
 Introduction to Archaeology,
 Cultural Resources Management (CRM,
 Communication I, 
Construction I, 
Construction II, 
Working Drawings I, 
Working Drawings II, 
Design IV, Design VI, 
Urban Planing, 
Undergraduate Project.

 August 2006 – present   
     -Departmental Head (Establisher), Department of Architectural Engineering, Faculty of Engineering. The Hashemite University,  Jordan.
     -Departmental Director (Establisher), Department of Engineering Projects. The Hashemite University, Jordan.
     -Member of the Queen Rania Institute for Tourism and Heritage. The Hashemite University, Jordan.
       Responsibilities: 
•	Establishing the two departments, preparing curriculum, strategic plan, and annual budget, staff selection, launching the programme. 
•	Overall management of projects from conception to completion.
•	Ensure all operations undertaken in a safe manner in accordance with the regulations.
•	Management of project team functions.
•	Supervision of a team of 200 staff.
•	Review project programme and update it on a regular basis.
•	Evaluation of training programmes for staff and implementation of new training solutions that met the needs of the institution and its people.
•	Presentation of management reports at board level.
•	Follow-up research completed, improved budgets, increased profits and improved morale.
•	Taught the following courses: History and Theories of Architecture I, History and Theories of Architecture II, Historic Sites Management, Stability Evaluation of Historic Buildings I, Basic Design I and II, Architectural Designs I , II, III, and IV, Communication I, Free-hand Drawing, Building Construction I, II, and III.
Achievements:
•	Suggestion of new department for engineering projects saved about 500.000 JD annually.
•	Suggestion of new department for teaching architecture brought in 1.250.000 JD annual income.
•	Formulating and devising strategic plans and budgeting.  
•	Problem solving abilities developed.
•	Improving staff morale and productivity.
•	Improving communication skills.
•	Carefully organizing lectures.
•	Developing new courses. 

August 2005 – August 2006      
     -Assistant Professor in the Department of Conservation, Queen Rania Institute of Tourisim and Heritage, The Hashemite University, Jordan.
Responsibilities:
•	Teaching the following courses: Museulogy Science, Stability Evaluation of Historic Buildings, Building Conservation, Introduction to Archaeology, and Cultural Resources Management (CRM).
Achievements:
•	Realising the merit of the international Texts of the Convention concerned with the management of natural and cultural heritage site of Petra (Text of the UNESCO Convention of 1970, Text of the UNIDROIT Convention of 1995, Text of the World Heritage Convention of 1972, Text of the ICOMOS Charter of 1990).
•	Developing new courses.
•	Developing teaching philosophy through experience.
•	Fitting into a team immediately and picking up information quickly.

October 1995 – December 1996   
     -Teaching Assistant in Department of Architecture, Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST), Jordan.
Responsibilities:
•	associating in the following courses: Communication I, Construction I, Construction II, Working Drawings I, Working Drawings II, Design IV, Design VI, Urban Planing, Undergraduate Project.
Achievements:
•	How to fit into a team immediately and picked up information quickly.

 2004	Centre for British Research in the Levant, London.
2002   	Ancient Architecture Group, Oxford University.
2002   	Oxford University Alumni Club.
1988   	Alumni Club of Yarmouk University.
1987  	Engineering Association in Jordan.

SHAHER MOH'D AHMAD RABABEH

SHAHER MOH'D AHMAD RABABEH

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