The vernacular architecture of the UAE reflected
the traditional lifestyles and customs of the people. Resources were limited
and the environment invariably harsh. 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
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
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.
Public buildings were largely confined to forts which were seats of local
government and mosques where the public congregated for prayer.
The economic prosperity and population explosion that was was brought
about by a massive injection of oil revenues had a huge social and cultural
impact, not least of which was an immediate and urgent demand for public
buildings and private housing. Modern designs, building materials and
technology rapidly replaced vernacular architecture, which was soon confined
to museums and heritage centres. In a very short space of time, sleek
glass-fronted skyscrapers rapidly altered the urban landscape.
Some of the earlier structures have not stood the test of time. However,
in recent years well-designed, technologically-innovative buildings have
become a feature in the major cities. Nowadays a concern for cultural
continuity can be seen in the use of elements of traditional architecture
in the design of new buildings as well as renewed efforts to preserve
and maintain traditional buildings.
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