This Gulf Heritage House Simple Design Pays Homage To The Past

The traditional Gulf house takes its house design simple structure from the traditions, habits, and culture of the country nationals. Moreover, the designs of these houses share common architectural elements due to the climate and religious needs. All traditional Arabic houses also share a subtle beauty and a cozy atmosphere ornated with antique furniture and vintage clock commonly used. 

Compared with other areas of the Islamic world, there appears to be very little written about the traditional architecture of the Gulf as good as wall arts. So, let’s take a look at the architecture and design of the traditional Gulf house.

#F79646 ;">Beit Sheikh Isa Bin Ali, Muharraq, Bahrain

This spectacular house was constructed around 1800. It is considered one of the optimum examples of a traditional Arab Gulf house. The Majlis or chief sitting room downstairs was kept cool in summer by the downdraft from the wind tower. The house also features some fine woodcarving throughout. It comprises numerous rooms arranged around four courtyards. You can easily identify the four sections of the house: Sheikh, family, guests, and servants.

# Beit_Sheikh_Isa_Bin_Ali_House

#F79646 ;">Bait Al Bader, Kuwait

Bait Al Bader is an old Kuwaiti house that clearly embodies the typical architectural style of traditional Kuwaiti houses. The original house was built between 1838 and 1848. It comprises several rooms extending from 5 open courtyards. The house features the famous house design front side doors of old Kuwait and a raised ceiling featuring thin rails and palm leaves. Bait Al Bader has been renovated as a heritage house. It is now a part of the national museum used as the exhibition venue of local handicrafts, especially visited for its house design front part.

#Bait_Al_Bader_Kuwait

#F79646 ;">AL-Oqaili House, Deira, Dubai

This old house is situated in the heart of the historic area of Deira. It was built in 1922 by Mubarak Bin Hamad Mane Al-Oqaili who was one of the most renowned names in Emirati literature during the 20^th century, particularly famous for his classical Arabic poetry. This house is important not only because it was the home of the late poet, but also because it obviously features traditional Arabic design. The house was restored and converted into a museum in 2010, using local building techniques and traditional materials. The museum features some of the poet’s works and memorabilia on display.

#Al_Oqaili_museum

#F79646 ;">Bayt Nassif, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Bayt Nassif, or Nassif House, was built in 1881 for Sheikh Omar Effendi Nassif, who was the governor of Jeddah at the time. Bayt Nassif is considered an important heritage and a famous landmark showing Jeddah’s rich past. This magnificent ancient mansion in Jeddah has gone through extensive renovations. It is currently used as a cultural center housing special exhibits or lectures. The interior of the house resembles traditional Saudi mansions. Going through the 106 rooms of the house, you can notice the magnificent artwork, including works on wood, works on tiles, as well as spectacular Arabic calligraphy. The stairway in the house is a ramp with spaced crossbeams, convenient for animals carrying goods to climb; as in the old days when they used trained camels to go up and down the five floors of the building carrying goods.

#Gulfheritagedesign #traditionalkuwaitihouses #ancientmansion