Darat al Funun renovation

The house has been renovated in its original form by architect Ammar Khammash. He has retained its three bay plan and transformed it into three interconnecting exhibition galleries, whose elevated ceilings permit daylight to penetrate through windows into the interior. Artist studios and workshops occupy the ground floor.

In 1994, a second building was renovated to accommodate more exhibition spaces, a hall for lectures and video film presentations, and the administrative offices.

The house, built by workers from the Jordanian Circassian community, was once inhabited by Ismail Haqqi, former Governor of Akka in Palestine and later, for sometime, advisor to Peake Pasha. A distinctive Circassian porch was added during the recent restoration.

A fountain surrounded by trees in the front courtyard creates a perfect setting for a small cafe where visitors, students and artists can meet.

The third building dating from the same period was once lived in by Sheikh Fouad al Khateeb, poet and for a time advisor at the Court of the Emir Abdullah.

Later, in the mid 1950s, it was inhabited by Prime Minister Suleiman Nabulsi. In 1995 it was restored to serve as quarters and studios for visiting artists. In 2002, the house was dedicated to the memory and legacy of Khalid Shoman and named Dar Khalid.