DUBAI: For centuries, the courtyard was the center of Arab homes. It acted as a meeting place that was visible to all and invited social cohesion and connection.
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The courtyard can be found in design practices across the Middle East and North Africa, valued for both its social and utilitarian properties — particularly as a central channel through which air could flow and as a place of welcome and hospitality.
However, as our cities have expanded and modernized, this ancient design feature has slowly faded from the mainstream. That is particularly pronounced in the UAE and the wider Gulf region, where skyscrapers and hyper-modern architecture have now taken precedence.
A traditional Emirati housh, or courtyard. (Supplied)
