In 2005 the UCLA/RUG Fayum Project started work on a site management plan for Karanis, as part of the larger Fayum landscape management effort. The project involves detailed recording of the present state of the mud brick buildings excavated in the 1920's and 1930's by the University of Michigan, degradation research and monitoring of the mud bricks and the buildings, as well as research on visitor's movements, behaviour, and expectations. The second phase of the project entails work on the restoration of the Beyt Sobek, which is to house a visitor's center for Karanis and the Fayum. The center will form a gateway to Fayum's rich cultural and natural heritage.

Beyt Sobek, 'The House of Sobek' is named after the famous crocodile god which was venerated in the Fayum throughout its history. The house was built in 1924 by the University of Michigan, when they first started their excavations of Karanis. In the 1930's the building was used as the weekend retreat of the British Envoy, and the house is therefore locally known as the "Beyt Mandub Sami Brittani".

The house is a unique example of vernacular architecture. It has many authentic features that were clearly inspired by the Roman architecture of the city of Karanis. The layout of the building with its many court yards, vaulted entrances and palm rib roofing, seem to cite the Roman buildings. The project will preserve these features in the restoration work.

The exhibit will emphasize three important aspects, which will be referred to in the routing through the site:

• landscape
• excavation results
• development of archaeology.

The large open rooms in the house will evoke the landscape of the Fayum North Shore through panoramic photographs, information panels and the display of modern art made of local materials. Excavation results will be on display in the smaller rooms, representing the houses in the ancient city. Diorama's, multimedia presentations, artefact replica's and photographic panels will aid the understanding of life in early times. The development of archaeology in the Fayum will be visualized through replicated archaeological trenches and photographs.

Clean bathrooms and a small cafetaria will provide an important provision for visitors, as will a shop where local products such as olive oil, basketry, soap, pottery and jewellry can be purchased by visitors.

Restoration work in 2008
In the Fall of 2008 restoration work of the Beyt Sobek started. The project focused on clearing out a thick layer of debris - in some places up to 1.5 meter - and the renewal of the roof and some of the walls. For the reconstruction only authentic local materials were used, and young workmen were trained in traditional building techniques.

The old state of the entrance.

The old state of the roof.

Preparation of palm ribs for the roof.
	Renewing the roof with palm ribs, which were subsequently overlaid with matting and mud plaster.

After restoration of the roof and plastering of the walls. The floors were still in excellent shape.