• The style generators
Dubai's traditional architecture is a result of the cultural mixture of different nationalities of people who live there. In general, it is influenced by Islamic architecture that developed in the area from the 7th century. The main features of this architecture were simplicity, functionality, durability, suitability for climatic environments and social life. In a way, courtyard houses suited societal traditions and were in harmony with the local climate. Many architectural elements were copied from neighbouring countries; for example, wind-towers and decorative panels from Iran, or carved doors and balconies from India. The traditional architecture of Dubai was primarily the result of the interaction between three main factors; the humid climate, the locally available construction materials (tangible factors), and the people’s traditions and religious beliefs (non-tangible factors).
• Architectural concept
o The concept of all building types is distinguished by its intro-environment where all the major and minor functions are shaded by arcades overlooking the middle open space
“Patio or Plaza”.
o The principal structure in all the traditional buildings is the regular compact form with projections from various sides in line with the urban pattern of the old city's sikkas which for the most part ran from north to south and finished at the creek.
o Urban patterns follow a high-density design where buildings are near each other, as seen in a large number of Arab urban areas.
• Architectural style
o The traditional UAE Architecture is characterised by components that are high adaptable to the ecological conditions, i.e. climatic, geographical, social, and so on, with an appreciation for Islamic customs.
o The main distinguishable components are wind-towers (Barajeels), air-pullers, arches, columns, well-defined passageways, shaded arcade (rewak), corbels, and different sorts of ornamentation.
o The city picture is characterised by its corrugated skyline where the wind-towers are the most elevated components.
• Building materials and roofing systems
o Vernacular architecture in the UAE depended on the local availability of building materials. (“Vernacular architecture is used to describe structures built by people whose design decisions are influenced by traditions in their culture” (Zhai & Previtali, 2010:357)). In the hilly terrains, the house ramparts and walls were built using stones and gaps that were produced due to the uneven shape of the stones were sealed with mud. Later on, walls were built using mountain stones with mud as the mortar. Rooftops were secured with palm-tree trunks and matting.
o Shell, coral ore and adhesive were the fundamental components of walls, and palm leaves, and ceiling wood joists (chandal) and braces were utilised in constructing roofs.
Figure 3.12: Building materials and roofing system Source (Wikipedia, 2008)
• Ornaments and decorative elements
o Gypsum boards with floral and geometrical shapes and patterns were used in all types of buildings as decorative elements. Likewise, calligraphy and coal painting could be found in divider breaks along the primary elevation.
o Gypsum powder was put to good use in the making of decorative items that were used in towers, arches, chambers and architraves. The decorative panel was poured onto a surface that was usually flat and rectangular, after which, geometrical shapes and floral designs were engraved on the mould, which helped in fixing its position with the gypsum mortar.
Figure 3.13: Ornament and decorative elements Source: (Akellen, n.d.)
• Building Types
In all the UAE historical districts, vernacular buildings of various themes (Figure 3.11) were constructed by extracting themes of many architectural elements and features from India, Iran and partially Oman. The wind tower or the wind catcher (barajeel) which forms the main part of a UAE historic house is one of primary parts of the building. The external façade of the building was purely a mixture of earth materials such as the mud and wood.
Figure 3.14: Vernacular buildings–Wind-tower element Source: (Wikimedia, 2015)
The following are a few characterisations of building types that were commonly found and documented in the old UAE architecture:
The following are a few characteristics of building types that were commonly found and documented in the old UAE architecture:
o Defensive architecture came in the form of forts, watchtowers, city walls and high gates that were constructed and set on the peripheral walls of the towns to protect the community from attacks by other tribes.
o Residential architecture where different kinds of traditional stone houses, such as Khima and Arish, were established in old historical communities by setting the buildings close to each other. Narrow passageways (sikka) were the veins of the neighbourhood body. The sikkas provided a network that corresponded with the character of the space and the social requirements of its users (Kiet, 2010). However, over time, a number of streets and roadways in the UAE and other Islamic communities were converted to gathering spaces in response to public requirements (Germeraad, 1990). Furthermore, streets and roadways were designed according to their purpose and classified in categories according to their width, which was generally measured in cubic metres (Akbar, 1984). The sequence and integration of both streets and houses in Islamic cities established a clear hierarchy and punctuated changes through transition, which also represented changes in social behaviour and norms (Zeisel, 1981, cited in Kiet, 2010:42).
o Commercial buildings similar to shops and souks are some of the most characteristic features of UAE historical architecture. The souk, or trading square, was and still is the commercial retail selling area in the Muslim world, and is typically located beside the jamia’ or masjid (mosque) (Hakim, 1986). The souk is usually an arcaded, covered market with kiosks and shops grouped according to the goods being sold. Some souks are interconnected with civic and educational buildings and other religious and social structures. The jamia’, in most of the Muslim cities around the world, is the core structure of the city surrounded by the souq, creating a maze-like pattern (Kiet, 2010). According to Bianca (2000), a market in a typical Islamic city consists of multifunctional core structures enveloping (or at least partially surrounding) the jamia’ by different trading layers of interconnected souks (Bianca, 2000, cited in Kiet, 2010:40).
o Religious buildings in the form of mosques and holy Quran learning houses. Mosques have large central courtyards surrounded by shaded arcades which are occasionally used as an extension of the prayer hall when the main prayer hall is full. In addition to the mosque, is the grand mosque (Al Jamea’) which is a large open space mostly isolated from the residential areas and located outside the city or neighbourhood boundary. It is used twice
a year by the public as an area for prayer and worship, and mainly for the Islamic festival of Eid (Hakim, 1986). It is also used as a location for political events, social gathering and preparation of the army for military purposes (Figure 3.12).
Figure 3.15: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi Source: (Piccolo, 2017)