Old Ideas in a New World: The Case of the Gulf Region
Air condition
Barjil
Glass
Courtyard
Openings
Material
Modern
Vernacular
EDRA 32/2001 Old World - New Ideas Edinburgh, Scotland July 3-6, 2001
Old Ideas in a New World: The Case of the Gulf Region
Dr. Yasser Mahgoub Assistant Professor of Architecture Department of Architecture, College of Engineering and Petroleum Kuwait university
Introduction • This paper discusses the continuity and absence of old architectural ideas in the emerging new world of the Gulf region countries . • It argues that while many ideas from the old world still exist in the new world in different forms and under different names, other old ideas have disappeared (or vanished) under pressures of change and development. • The paper compares old and new architectural examples from Gulf countries illustrating constants, variations, and transformations of old ideas in a new world. • The paper concludes that the reuse of old worlds' ideas is not a trend against globalization but, in the contrary, is a trend in support of globalization as a phase in human development with different manifestations in different parts of the world.
The Gulf Countries Countries of the Gulf region are going through another phase of their rapid development that started around the middle of the twentieth century. They were isolated from most global influences due to the harsh natural environment, undesirable living conditions and absence of natural resources that were in use at that time.
The new world came rapidly and ready-made to the countries of the Gulf region during the second half of the 20th Century. They did not have a chance to gradually transform from traditional to modern societies.
Map of the Gulf region
The Gulf Countries The decision of OPEC, in the early 70's, to raise oil prices hit the western economies hard, but it also came as a blessing in disguise for environment conscious in building design and the need to save energy was now more important than ever. On the other hand, the rise of oil prices by OPEC came as a blessing for the Gulf countries who enjoyed a second phase of their wealth and development.
Rooms
Bedroom Livingroom
Kitchen
Courtyard
House
Arish
Tent
Vernacular Dwellings Types of vernacular dwellings in the Gulf before the '50s
The Gulf Countries In general, the Gulf countries went through the following development stages: Phase
Period
Manifestations
First Phase
up to the 1940
- Pre-oil Period - Nomadic , traditional, primitive societies - Poverty, traditional (vernacular) architecture
Second Phase
1940 to 1973
- Discovery of Oil and wealth - Urban development - Modern architecture
Third Phase
1973 to 1991
- 1973 war and the rise of oil prices - Oil boom and rapid development - Post-modern and high-tech architecture
Fourth Phase
1992 to present
- The Second Gulf War - Recognition of identity crisis - Attempts to revive old traditional architectural styles
Kuwait Introduction Kuwait is located on the northern corner of the Gulf and occupies an area of 17,818 square kilometers. Fifty years ago it was only a small fishing village, but it has emerged as one of the richest and most culturally significant cities in the area. Kuwait went through too-rapid modern transformation and development stage that took place with enormous speed. Only a few historic monuments have been preserved in Kuwait as modernization continues to take its toll on the old urban environment and historic buildings. A few mosques and diwanias (social meeting houses) have been saved from demolition, and many have been replaced with new structures, reflecting the rapid changes in the recent history of the state.
Kuwait Kuwait before 1950
Kuwait Kuwait before 1950
Traditional architecture in Kuwait before 1950
Kuwait Kuwait before 1950
Old Kuwait walls and their demolition in 1957
Kuwait Traditional Architecture Architecture in Kuwait has passed through 3 distinctive phases since the end of the fifties until the end of the 20th century: I. The first phase was a mixture of houses built according to the traditional Kuwaiti house; a courtyard house closed from the outside and open to the inside area called alhoush, and some modern western villas.
Al Badr House
Kuwait Traditional Houses
Al Awadi House
Al Dabous House
Al Asousi House
Kuwait Kuwait after 1950
Kuwait City Master Plan 1952
Kuwait City Aerial Photo 1992
Kuwait The 60’s style II. The second phase during the sixties and seventies was marked by the introduction of the modern villa in the form of Mediterranean architecture found in Egypt, Syria and Lebanon, where the architects of theses villas came from. The Kuwaitis were inspired by the cultural development of these Arab Mediterranean countries, where they used to spend their summer vacations. Those villas were designed using strange shapes and forms which did not reflect the type of life that existed behind them.
Villas style of the '60s
Kuwait The 90’s style III. The third phase encompasses the eighties and the nineties is marked by a mixture of styles from all over the world.
Villas style of the ’90s
Kuwait Traditional Style The third phase is also marked by an interest in revival of Kuwaiti traditional architecture has evolved.
Trials to develop an architectural style from traditional elements
Kuwait Traditional Style Several trials are made to develop contemporary architecture with identity and style.
Trials to develop an architectural style from traditional elements
Kuwait Traditional Style
Trials to develop an architectural style from traditional elements
Kuwait Traditional + Classic Styles
Different architectural styles side by side
Kuwait Post-Modern Styles The badjair, the traditional wind catcher is considered by many as an important feature of Kuwait traditional architecture. Other do not consider it as part of the "true" traditional Kuwaiti architecture. The badjair, they argue, was found in very few buildings located in the eastern quarter of the city belonging to rich Iranian merchants who resided in Kuwait at that time. They regret that many architects are using the badjairs extensively in their modern buildings as symbols of traditional Kuwaiti architecture.
The use of badjirs in modern buildings
Kuwait Modern Style
Modern office buildings
Modern public buildings
United Arab Emirates Introduction Architecture in the UAE was influenced by rapid and drastic economic, social and cultural changes that took place in the Gulf region during the second half of this century. The discovery of oil with commercial quantities caused an instant growth of national income. Large size projects and developments were launched in an effort to upgrade the standard of living of the citizens. Abu Dhabi was a small village where coastal tribes settled. Al Ain was an oasis village rich with water and palm trees. Its dry weather attracted coastal settlers during the hot humid summer season.
Al Ain
United Arab Emirates Traditional Architecture Vernacular settlements found before the discovery of oil were small and primitive. They were usually located close to intersections of trading routes or strategic coastal areas. Citadels and forts were built for defense purposes during tribal feuds. They were large in size and built using thick walls made of stone with rounded or square defense towers at each corner. They signified territories and provided refugees during tribal wars.
Traditional forts from Al Ain
Al Ain City - UAE
United Arab Emirates Traditional Architecture Because of its location on the entrance of the curving creek (Khoor), Dubai acquired an important position and was able to develop an outstanding trading center with India for pearl and goods.
Old map of Dubai city
Dubai city
United Arab Emirates Traditional Architecture
Sheikh Saeed House - Dubai
United Arab Emirates Traditional Architecture
Sheikh Saeed House - Dubai
United Arab Emirates Traditional Architecture
Bastakia area - Dubai
United Arab Emirates Modern Style
Al Ain modern buildings
United Arab Emirates Modern Style
Abu Dhabi modern buildings
United Arab Emirates Modern Style
Dubai modern buildings
Comparison Climatic solutions
Air condition
Barjil
Glass
Courtyard
Openings
Material
Modern
Vernacular
Comparison between traditional and modern climatic solutions
Comparison Old and New neighborhoods
Modern neighborhood
Modern
Vernacular
Vernacular and modern neighborhood planning
Traditional neighborhood
Comparison Old and New houses
House
Courtyard
Garden
House
Modern house design
Modern House Design
Vernacular House Design
Modern and traditional house design
Traditional house design
Comparison Old and New streets
Modern streets
Traditional streets
Analysis Old Ideas in a New World Ideas
Continued
Vanished
Socio-cultural aspects
Separation between men
The
Privacy
and women in public and
mesh,
Men and women
private spaces is preserved
used to cover the windows
adhering to new criteria. While we
Family
to different
were replaced by reflecting
find men and women interacting in
some buildings, especially
glass to provide privacy.
public places; i.e. shopping centers
religious buildings, we find
The traditional houses that
and restaurants, we find separation
complete
separation
allowed extended families
between men and women while
between men and women.
to reside and live together
entertaining guests.
We also find separation
were replace by individual
Nuclear family
between men and women
villas
common
in some private villas.
single family only.
degrees. In
traditional wooden
Transformed
called mushrabia,
accommodating a
Separation women
between men and
has
changed and is
form
development.
house are the of
housing
Analysis Old Ideas in a New World Ideas
Continued
Vanished
Transformed
The house
A
space for receiving
The traditional courtyard
They have been transformed from
Size
travelling guests was an
was a basic element in the
simple spaces to lavishly decorated
Introvert / Extrovert design
essential part of the house.
design
spaces.
Openings
A diwania or madiafa were
Houses are attached and
The application of western ideas in
Material
used
and
form a continuos block of
the design of the house. The house
Social Spaces
entertain
guests coming
residential areas with small
is
distance. The
openings and built using
separating
or
local
houses. Large aluminum and glass
from
to
a
diwania
receive
madiafa
continues to be important
of
the
house.
indigenous designs
and materials.
surrounded it
by from
openings replaced
a
space
adjoining
the small
part of the house to receive
wooden openings.. Use of foreign
and entertain guests
imported designs and materials instead of indiginous materials.
Analysis Old Ideas in a New World Ideas
Continued
Vanished shaded
Transformed
Neighborhood Planning
The central role of the
Narrow
alleys
Planning
Pedestrian / Cars
Islamic mosque.
between houses suitable for
neighborhoods for cars creating
human movement.
hostile pedestrians.
streets
environment
and
for
Analysis Old Ideas in a New World Ideas
Continued
Environmental Solutions
A revival of the use of
Wind
Sun and thermal protection
courtyard is
and badjeir), thick walls,
the
Wind utilization
many new designs.
and courtyard designs were
responding to the harsh natural
successful in providing a
enviornment.
evident in
Vanished catchers (baraguil
relatively
cooler climate
inside the house. They are no longer used to provide cooler environment inside the house.
Transformed Electric A/C completely replaced traditional
methods
of
Discussion Globalization and Architecture The phenomenon of globalization is itself global, that is to say, all-encompassing. It is of course in the first instance a material or economic phenomenon, but, like all significant civilizational developments, it also has profound cultural or spiritual significance. G. B. Madison (Emeritus Professor of Philosophy, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario)
Globalization is a controversial word that is currently dominating the intellectual and public discourse. While some view it as an evil trend towards dehumanization and economic domination others view it as a multifaceted phenomenon that poses challenges and offers new opportunities. The questions paused by this paper are: What is the relationship between globalization and architecture? How do the architects use - or reuse - the ideas of the old world in the new world of globalization?
Discussion Where do we fit in the Globalization process? The countries of the Gulf region went through a unique experience of rapid progress and development. From traditional vernacular societies during the pre-oil period they have been transformed into modern societies in a very short period of time due to oil wealth and rapid development. Globalization is a sweeping trend that affects all countries of the world; small or bug, developed or underdeveloped, rich or poor. Borrowing of ideas from historical precedence or from other regions and directly apply them to our new context is no longer a feasible solution. We need to develop new ideas from old world solutions that were vanished during the process of development and modernization.
Recommendations Principles of action for today •Revision of building codes and regulations that contributed to the production of urban fabric. Inventive Muslim interpretations of modern building types like office blocks and airport. Avoid importation of inappropriate second-rate imagery. Re-evaluations of traditional building types like mosque and housing Re-consideration of traditional planning principles such as mixed use and compact urban planning. "Convince" the elites to replace their imported image of progress with more coherent and effective one. Consider sustainability and green architecture as alternative approaches to architecture in the Middle east. The generation of appropriate forms of Middle Eastern architecture as sustainable as were those of tradition. The production of works of great and appropriate invention, which can draw from the past without copying it, as well as using the most sophisticated contemporary technology.
Conclusion Hope for a better future
There are some signs here and there that, at long last, the tide may be turning. The Architectural Review, Volume CCIII No 1213, March 1998