An exhibition at the Vitra Design Museum in Germany is looking to cities in the Arab world for lessons on how to architecturally cope with the rise of global temperatures.
As the effects of climate change become more palpable, architects are trying to respond by coming up with efficient cooling solutions while considering their planetary repercussions. Answers may lie in the Middle East. Architecture, in its ideal form, responds to its environment, and the region has long had to deal with high temperatures and blistering weather.
If you go into the history of this region, which has been dealing with hot climates for centuries, there’s incredible knowledge that has not been uncovered
Ahmed bin Shabib,
Emirati urbanist and curator
The Hot Cities: Lessons from Arab Architecture exhibition highlights traditional architecture from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Jordan, Egypt, Iraq and Algeria, showing how it can be fused with modern technologies to address environmental challenges.
The exhibition is arranged as a circle of fabric arches, each dedicated to a city in the region. It features archival materials as well as vibrant small-scale models of structures that were designed to mitigate the harshness of hot climes.
Many of these are landmark buildings, and include Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House with its wind towers and mashrabiyas; renowned Egyptian architect Hassan Fathy’s New Baris, which envisioned a micro-society thriving in the middle of the desert using passive cooling technologies; and Tuwaiq Palace in Riyadh with myriad water towers and fountains.
The exhibition delves into the significance of each structure, showing how they can inspire solutions to address future environmental concerns.
Hot Cities is curated by Ahmed and Rashid bin Shabib. Coupled with their research into Arab identity, the Emirati urbanists have long been examining ecological concerns related to architecture.
“There are two sensible applications to this exhibition,” Rashid says. “One is, the world is heating. How can we learn from hot cities? How can hot cities teach us how to sustain ourselves, whether we’re in Dubai or Mexico?”
The solutions don’t need to be revolutionary, he adds, pointing out that metropolises across the Middle East and North Africa already offer a trove of ideas on how to adapt to rising temperatures.
“Cities in Europe are heating up, cities in Asia and America are heating up,” Ahmed says. “The responses have been more or less the same. They're just looking at technological innovation as a response to climatic conditions. If you go into the history of this region, which has been dealing with hot climates for centuries, there’s incredible knowledge that has not been uncovered.”
If I say the word courtyard in Arabic, it conjures up images that are different than if I were to say it in Japanese or in English
Rashid bin Shabib
The exhibition covers 22 countries across North Africa and the Middle East, and looks at how each country has responded to harsh climatic conditions.
The structures in Hot Cities go as far back as the 9th century, to the Mosque of Ibn Tulun in Cairo. The mosque’s design incorporates arches and corridors to cool its interior. The exhibition's more recent case studies include Palestinian-Jordanian architect Ja'afar Tuqan’s prototype kindergarten school in Dubai, which utilises traditional wind towers.
Vitra Design Museum is the perfect platform to present these case studies, says Rashid. Architects from across the world visit the institution for cutting-edge ideas on how technology is reconditioning urban environments. He says it offers the opportunity to discuss the evolving role of the architect, as well as re-examine the trajectory of how architecture may develop.
“Architect Christopher Alexander, who basically gave birth to the concept of Wikipedia and open-source data, said that we shouldn’t be designing," Rashid says. We should look at all of history’s designs and produce an algorithm that is open-source, and that demonstrates what a bedroom, for instance, should look like, to produce something that he called a 'quality without a name'.”
Alexander coined the phrase to describe the gratification and pleasure of being in a good building. These feelings, Rashid says, can be produced when applying traditional regional architecture methods in novel ways, which in turn could help alleviate the effects of climate change.
Another aspect of architecture that Hot Cities examines is how much of its history is coded into language.
“We've been interested in language and the relationship between Arabic and architecture,” Rashid says. “If I say the word courtyard in Arabic, it conjures up images that are different than if I were to say it in Japanese or in English.
“If I say two-storey house built from wood, thatched roof, elevated, I haven't produced any sketches, but you already produced an image in your mind. That led us to think about unlocking language.
“Arab architects needed degrees from Paris or London in order for them to practice, which means they abandoned the Arabic language,” he adds. “They started adopting French and English, therefore losing a treasure of intergenerational knowledge. What has happened to the history of this language we’ve lost? While thinking about this, we wanted to look at how this lost treasure, this lost language, can be relevant contextually today.”
Rashid cites the example of Hassan Fathy, who wrote a book on climate change back in 1973.
“He's well known, but people haven’t really looked into his research on climate change. We’re looking at a few of his examples because he was interested in the lexicon of Arabic language and the role of architecture.
“Another example is Mohammad Makia, an Iraqi architect who lived in Iraq and the West, and believed in this Arabic aesthetic and vernacular that is important to reidentify, especially in the Gulf. He knew these states were up and coming. They had promising projects on the state level, and he believed that an Arab approach to architecture would give those cities a type of identity that was authentic.”
While the data might be contentious as to whether humanity has already pushed the planet past the tipping point of climate change, it is critical that professionals working in the creative industry begin to consider the effects of global warming as an essential part of their practice, the bin Shabib brothers say.
“In some of the writings by these architects, they say we’re approaching the way we build our cities as engineers not as architects,” says Rashid. “We’re over-engineering everything. We’re constantly trying to control our environment and what these architects were trying to do is not to control it, but to respond to it.”
Hot Cities: Lessons from Arab Architecture is running at Vitra Design Museum until November 5
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In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
Pad Man
Dir: R Balki
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Sonam Kapoor, Radhika Apte
Three-and-a-half stars
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
Profile of Tamatem
Date started: March 2013
Founder: Hussam Hammo
Based: Amman, Jordan
Employees: 55
Funding: $6m
Funders: Wamda Capital, Modern Electronics (part of Al Falaisah Group) and North Base Media
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Swiss fly direct from the UAE to Zurich from Dh2,855 return, including taxes.
The chalet
Chalet N is currently open in winter only, between now and April 21. During the ski season, starting on December 11, a week’s rental costs from €210,000 (Dh898,431) per week for the whole property, which has 22 beds in total, across six suites, three double rooms and a children’s suite. The price includes all scheduled meals, a week’s ski pass, Wi-Fi, parking, transfers between Munich, Innsbruck or Zurich airports and one 50-minute massage per person. Private ski lessons cost from €360 (Dh1,541) per day. Halal food is available on request.
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The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power: 154bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option
Price: From Dh79,600
On sale: Now
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The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
RACECARD
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How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
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The bio
Who inspires you?
I am in awe of the remarkable women in the Arab region, both big and small, pushing boundaries and becoming role models for generations. Emily Nasrallah was a writer, journalist, teacher and women’s rights activist
How do you relax?
Yoga relaxes me and helps me relieve tension, especially now when we’re practically chained to laptops and desks. I enjoy learning more about music and the history of famous music bands and genres.
What is favourite book?
The Perks of Being a Wallflower - I think I've read it more than 7 times
What is your favourite Arabic film?
Hala2 Lawen (Translation: Where Do We Go Now?) by Nadine Labaki
What is favourite English film?
Mamma Mia
Best piece of advice to someone looking for a career at Google?
If you’re interested in a career at Google, deep dive into the different career paths and pinpoint the space you want to join. When you know your space, you’re likely to identify the skills you need to develop.
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Pieces of Her
Stars: Toni Collette, Bella Heathcote, David Wenham, Omari Hardwick
Director: Minkie Spiro
Rating:2/5
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Day 1, Dubai Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Sadeera Samarawickrama set pulses racing with his strokeplay on his introduction to Test cricket. It reached a feverish peak when he stepped down the wicket and launched Yasir Shah, who many regard as the world’s leading spinner, back over his head for six. No matter that he was out soon after: it felt as though the future had arrived.
Stat of the day - 5 The last time Sri Lanka played a Test in Dubai – they won here in 2013 – they had four players in their XI who were known as wicketkeepers. This time they have gone one better. Each of Dinesh Chandimal, Kaushal Silva, Samarawickrama, Kusal Mendis, and Niroshan Dickwella – the nominated gloveman here – can keep wicket.
The verdict Sri Lanka want to make history by becoming the first team to beat Pakistan in a full Test series in the UAE. They could not have made a better start, first by winning the toss, then by scoring freely on an easy-paced pitch. The fact Yasir Shah found some turn on Day 1, too, will have interested their own spin bowlers.
Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
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THE BIO
Ms Al Ameri likes the variety of her job, and the daily environmental challenges she is presented with.
Regular contact with wildlife is the most appealing part of her role at the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi.
She loves to explore new destinations and lives by her motto of being a voice in the world, and not an echo.
She is the youngest of three children, and has a brother and sister.
Her favourite book, Moby Dick by Herman Melville helped inspire her towards a career exploring the natural world.
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