Research about the UAE

Building materials were simple but were superbly adapted to the demands of lifestyle and climate. Easily portable tents provided shelter during tribal wanderings in the winter season. During the summer months spent in the date-palm plantations, home was an airy arish made of palm fronds. Arish were also common in the coastal fishing, pearling and trading settlements. Inland more permanent houses were built of stone guss (mud mixture made into blocks) and were roofed with palm trees leaves. Fossilized coral, cut in blocks, bonded with sarooj (a blend of Iranian red clay and manure), or a lime mixture derived from seashells, and plastered with chalk and water paste, was used extensively in coastal regions.

These materials have very low thermal conductivity and were therefore ideally suited for the hot and arid climate. Privacy and ventilation were important influences in the layout of the houses. A central interior courtyard onto which all the rooms opened was restricted to family use. Cooking facilities were located at one end of the courtyard which also functioned as an eating and sleeping area in the hot summer months. The majilis or meeting rooms where the male members of the family entertained male guests were separate from the family quarters. Although layout and nature materials helped in providing cool interiors, in many cases additional features such as windtowers were also used to improve ventilation. Decorative detail was confined to colourful floor rugs, intricate wooden lattice work on windows and ornate wooden outer doors. Decorative patterns were modelled on traditional Islamic designs. The United Arab Emirates has a diverse and multicultural society. Emirati culture mainly revolves around the religion of Islam and traditional Arab, and Bedouin culture. Being a highly cosmopolitan society, the UAE has a diverse and vibrant culture. Traditional Architecture in UAE is mainly in the form of vernacular style. This kind of architecture show the environmental, cultural and historical context of the building in which it exists. It is usually fundamental and simple, but some has a valuable design.

Research about the UAE

(Dubais amazing skyline)Above image shows Dubai amazing skyline with the Burj Dubai, one of the worlds most expensive hotels, towering over the city. The traditional architecture of UAE is basically the result of two main factors: the hot and humid climate and peoples social lives and religion. The first architectural elements for a constructions in the country to sustain and maintain its hot weather is the traditional architectural wind-towers, called in Arabic barajils. Houses used this in the early twentieth century as simple air condition. Wind-towers have four open sides, each of which is hollowed into a concave v-shape, which deflects the wind down, cooling the rooms below. Water thrown on the floor beneath the tower cools the house as the water evaporates. When cool air is not necessary, the vents can be closed.

Research about the UAE

(Gouraud) The Image above is from a beautifully restored and maintained Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum house in Dubai. Its traditional design has inspired some of the modern architecture.

(Jonnyh)

Research about the UAE

An old picture of Dubai houses that shows the wind tower as a significant element of the house structure.

(Al Qasr Hotel) This picture show the Al Qasr Hotel, a modern articecture that has the traditional design elements specially the wind towers.

Research about the UAE

(Mina ASalam) The above picture view the wonderful tradition wind towers design, this is Mina ASalam in Dubai (near Burj Alarab).

Research about the UAE

A modern house in (Bain Al-jsrain) Abu-Dhabi with wind tower as part of its design. The second tradition elements for the hot weather is that buildings were constructed close to each other and have narrow alleys between them, called in Arabic sikkas. These alleys are shaded during the day because of the walls of the houses or the tall buildings. People benefit from these narrow alleys because they assist the fresh winds from the north to pass to circulate freely It also create an easier transportation between these buildings.

Research about the UAE

(alleyway) an old alleys between a house and its neighbor house, this picture was taken in Al-Ain city.

Research about the UAE

(old Khalidyah from the sky) This picture shows how houses used to be organized in Khalidyah (located near Cornish street) in Abu-Dhabi.

Research about the UAE

Alleys still exist in UAE, this picture was taken from Al-Buteen town in Abu-Dhabi.

Research about the UAE

(Khalidyah from Google earth) This picture shows how houses are organized in UAE, specially in khalidyah town. The narrow alleyways are clear in this image. The second part of the tradition elements is the effect peoples social lives and Islamic religion on the vernacular architecture of the country. This effect concluded the reason why the rooms of the home generally faces the courtyard. The exterior walls of these houses have with a small amount of windows or some ventilation holes high up in the wall. This is because of modesty and privacy that peoples social lives and their religion advance.

10

Research about the UAE

(Al Jahili fort) The Al Jahili Fort was built in 1898 by Sheikh Zayed the Great in Al-ain city. It shows the ventilation holes high up in the wall.

11

Research about the UAE

(Old Town in the Heritage District) This image was taken in Sharjah, it is the Heritage District. It shows a traditional plan wall with small windows on top. Islamic architecture has covered a wide range of both secular and religious styles from the foundation of Islam by the prophet Mohamed (pbuh)to our present day. It has influenced the design and construction of buildings and structures inside the Islamic culture. The standard architectural types of Islamic architecture are; the Tomb, the Mosque, the Fort and the Palace. There is never one type of decoration for one type of building or object; on the contrary, there are decorative principles that are pan-Islamic and applicable to all types of buildings and objects at all times Islamic architecture elements of decoration are Calligraphy, Geometry, Floral patterns, and water. Calligraphy is considered one of the most important of the Islamic arts, its words may be a quote from the Quran, lines of poetry, or names and dates.

12

Research about the UAE

A house in Sas Al-Nakeel in Abu-Dhabi that has a simple Islamic calligraphy design on top of it.

13

Research about the UAE

A modern house designed as tradition UAE houses and have some Islamic calligraphy, this house is located in (Bain Al-Jsrain) Abu-Dhabi.

14

Research about the UAE

This picture shows a part of a mosque designed like Al-Aqsa mosque in Palestine. It have brilliant Islamic calligraphy, it is located in Sas Al-Nakeel / Abu-Dhabi.

15

Research about the UAE

Another Islamic architecture element is geometric patterns, it is to an extend complex and sophistic. These patterns demonstrate the Islamic interest in repetition, symmetry and continuous generation of pattern

This is a side picture of a house in Al-Bateen / Abu-Dhabi; this house windows is designed with nice simple geometric patterns.

16

Research about the UAE

In this image there is simple but also fancy geometric patterns on the mosque tombs. This picture was taken in (Bain al-jsrain) in Abu-Dhabi city.

17

Research about the UAE

floral patterns is also an Islamic architectures element. It represent nature, such as flowers, leaves, and trees. They are used as the motifs for the decoration of textiles, objects and buildings.

(sheikh Zayed mosque) Zayed mosque with wonderful Islamic floral patterns design that shows leaves design on the top and small flowers under. There is also big leaves drown on the floor.

18

Research about the UAE

19

Research about the UAE

Last but not least is the water element, it reflect architecture and multiply the decorative themes and emphasizing the visual axes. It is usually in hot Islamic climates, water is found in courtyard pools and fountains cools as it decorates. The first project I will mention is the worlds tallest building, Burj Khalifa. It is located in the heart of Dubai city downtown. Its design is motivated by the indigenous desert flowers that often appear as decorative patterns in Islamic architecture, but it also has an engineering purpose: The swirl shape ensures that the mass of the structure lessens as it reaches the top, making the structure steadier

(Burj Khalifa) This picture show Burj Khalifa unique design that was inspired from desert flowers.

20

Research about the UAE

The second is the Palm island which in also located in Dubai. It is one of the world largest human-made islands and is built on the coast of the Dubai emirate. Its shape is designed as a date palm tree and every branch has its individual name. Each branch of the island has a name of date kind, which gives others a chance to know their kinds and names. The island have luxurious hotels, residential villas, apartments, ports, water theme parks, restaurants, shopping malls, etc.

(Nakheel Development) this photo released by Nakheel Development, construction goes on at Jumeira Palm Island in Dubai. It present the palm design from sky view.

21

Research about the UAE

Another project that I will point out is the most expensive hotel ever built, the Emirates Palace. It is located in the Cornish street in the emirate of Abu-Dhabi. This hotel is full of luxury, It was designed in a modern tradition design that shows the tradition elements in its exterior look. In addition to that it has some beautiful Islamic architecture elements, as the tombs, patterns, and windows design.

(Emirates Palace Hotel) Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi, this picture shows its luxury architecture design that have some traditional elements.

22

Research about the UAE

The forth project is Burj Al-Arab five star hotel, it was built in the shape of a traditional dhow. I think Tom Wright did what was asked from him, Burj Al-Arab now is a synonymous of Dubai city. Its is also in all dubai car number plates.

(Burj Al Arab at sunset) A beautiful picture of Burj Al-Arab at sunset time that really show the Burj as a traditional dhow.

23

Research about the UAE

References
http://uaearchitecture.wordpress.com/ http://www.Google.com www.wikipedia.com

24