Building on the success of the Petra and Jerash visitor centers, Zaid Masannat was asked by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and the Royal Heritage Commission to design a museum in the historic house of Sharif Hussein in Aqaba, Jordan. Sharif Hussein is the father figure and leader of the Great Arab Revolt which lead to the independence of Arabs form the breaking Ottoman Empire in the early 20th century during the period of WWI. Sharif Hussein and his sons are the descendants of the Prophet Muhammad and Hashemite dynasty. Their victory over the Ottomans lead to the liberation of Aqaba, and ultimately the levant and the establishment of modern day Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
The house itself is a modest structure with just over 300m2 area and a courtyard which initially housed an archaeological exhibit. Zaid created the museum exhibit and interpretation design, the initial branding design and selected objects for display from several sources Jordan. The main exhibit talks about the Hashemite dynasty who came of Hijaz (Saudi Arabia today), the regional setting of WWI, the Great Arab Revolt, establishment of Jordan and the eventual death of Sharif Hussein. The norther exhibit covers the history of the building itself, the city of Aqaba and its unique culture.
The schematic design was concluded in 2018. Construction is set to begin in 2020.
Schematic design, exhibit and interior design, landscape design and initial graphic design by Zaid Masannat during tenure at USAID/BEST Project. Tender documents by Bitar Consulting Architects following schematic design package. Initial interpretation content by USAID/BEST Project later developed by Syntax Digital.