One of the most popular Art Deco house designs is the old Arabic house design with an open courtyard. Typically, old Arabic designs feature a simple but elegant exterior, high walls, and a central courtyard. Ancient Arabic houses were often built in walled compounds called a 'rawdah', which were also characterized by slender, elegant columns at the entryway. The central courtyard open air area is designed to create a cool refuge during the hot summer months, while offering a pleasant place to relax and socialize. The walls are often tall andber window, echoing the geometric shapes and patterns of the Art Deco style. The central courtyard was an important element of the Arabic house design, as it was used to provide privacy as well as protection from the sun. Today, many modern art deco homes incorporate this design element in an open patio or garden. The designs can include tall narrow windows, curved archways, and there may even be elements of glass to create the illusion of an outdoor oasis. Another popular Art Deco house design is the old Arabic house design featuring a wind tower, or 'breeze terrace.' In the old days, these towers were built to create breezes in order to cool down the house during the hot summer months. A typical design would include a tall, slender tower with a wide opening at the bottom, allowing air to enter. This tower would be set back from the main house, and offer a spectacular view of the surroundings. Today, many modern Art Deco houses feature an open-air breezeway in the center of the roof, and the wind tower can be framed in wood or metal and decorated with geometric or floral motifs. These designs are often fitted with glazed windows, creating a stunning view of the surrounding area.Old Arabic House Design with Open Courtyard
Old Arabic House Design with Wind Tower
Old Arabic House Design with Open Courtyard
A traditional Arabic house design is one that features a patio or veranda at the rear of the house. This patio will typically have two or three sides, with open air courtyards, as well as walls which protect from the elements, such as the sun, rain, and wind. Building materials used in the traditional Arabic house design include coral and palm, and walls are decorated with patterns, thus giving the house a true old-world charm. The traditional Arabic house design often incorporated a small tower at the front end of the house, and possibly a minaret style stairwell at the back, which leads to the open-air patio. Often you will find small gates or doors dividing the patio from the living and sleeping areas, giving the whole house a quiet and peaceful feel.Traditional Arabic House Design
Old Arabic House Design with Wind Tower
Modern Arabic house designs typically feature clean lines and little ornamentation. Contemporary interior and exterior elements are often present, such as glass walls and sliding doors. The contemporary materials used in modern Arabic house designs include glass, stainless steel, wood, marble, granite, and wood composite materials. Modern materials are sleek and stylish in their design, and the designs often incorporate geometric shapes and patterns to give them a touch of art deco flair. Modern Arabic house designs are perfect for both outdoor living and entertaining, as they often feature large balconies and terraces, as well as spacious gardens. The open-air patios are especially ideal for al fresco dining. Modern Arabic House Design
Traditional Arabic House Design
Nowadays, many modern Arabic house designs incorporate traditional elements, such as the use of open-air courtyards and arched windows. This helps to preserve the old-world feel of the house while providing modern amenities and features. Windows can be decorated with mosaics, and ornate tilework can also be used to add to the decoration of the house. Modern Arabic house designs also often include traditional elements such as ornamental ceilings, curved archways, and curved stairways. These elements, when used in combination with contemporary materials, can create an inviting and comfortable living space.Modern Arabic House Designs Incorporating Traditional Elements
Modern Arabic House Design
The rustic Arabic house design is a perfect combination of traditional and modern. This style incorporates features from both old-world and modern design, allowing for a truly unique and beautiful living space. Rustic Arabic house designs often incorporate materials such as unrefined wood and wrought iron, juxtaposed with modern elements such as stone and glass. These elements are then complemented by geometric patterns and curved lines, creating a truly stunning living space. Rustic Arabic house designs are typically characterized by their use of terracotta tiles, arched windows, and balconies, and typically involve elements from various regions and cultures from across the Arab world. The result is a timeless and beautiful design that feels both contemporary and homey.Rustic Arabic House Design
Modern Arabic House Designs Incorporating Traditional Elements
Contemporary Arabic house designs are characterized by their use of modern materials such as steel, glass, and concrete. These designs will often contain clean, geometric shapes and a minimalistic approach in order to create a chic and modern living space. Clear lines, sleek surfaces, and floor-to-ceiling windows are typical characteristics of contemporary Arabic house designs. In addition to modern materials, contemporary Arabic house designs often incorporate traditional elements, such as ornamental ceilings, terracotta tiles, and curved archways. These traditional elements, combined with contemporary materials, can create a truly unique and captivating living space.Contemporary Arabic House Designs
Rustic Arabic House Design
When it comes to luxury Arabic house designs, the sky is the limit. Luxury Arabic house designs typically feature the latest in modern amenities and features, such as swimming pools, home automation systems, and even state-of-the-art audio and visual systems. Luxury designs may also include features such as balconies, grand staircases, and Turkish baths. Luxury Arabic house designs often draw inspiration from across the Arab world, incorporating elements and features from different countries. Rich materials such as marble, granite, and wood are often used, and ornate tilework and mosaics are often present. As well, luxury designs may include elements such as terraces, fountains, and fireplaces, all of which help to create a truly luxurious living experience.Luxury Arabic House Design
Contemporary Arabic House Designs
Though there are many different types of contemporary and modern Arabic house designs, there is something special about the rustic chic Arabic house design. This style features a combination of traditional Arabic elements and modern materials, creating an inviting and sophisticated living space. Rustic chic Arabic house designs often feature furniture and decorations made of natural materials such as wood, wicker, and rattan. Ornate tilework, mosaics, and Arabic calligraphy are often present, adding an element of culture and tradition to the design. Rustic chic designs may also incorporate features such as balconies, skylights, outdoor patios, and courtyards, all of which add to the warmth and charm of the living space. Rustic chic Arabic House Design
Luxury Arabic House Design
A tropical Arabic house design brings to mind a fusion of modern and traditional elements, inspired by the diversity of the Middle East region. This design often features strong lines, clean surfaces, and textures such as wood and stone, while incorporating elements such as vibrant colors, ornate tilework, and local artwork. Large sliding doors or windows usually feature prominently in the design, allowing natural light to flood in. Tropical Arab house designs are typically characterized by their use of luxury materials such as marble and granite, as well as intricately detailed mosaic designs. These designs may also incorporate features such as outdoor courtyards and terraces, built-in pools, and spacious balconies. A combination of modern materials and old-world touches ensure that these house designs offer a timeless beauty. Tropical Arabic House Design
Rustic chic Arabic House Design
The Iconic Traditional Arabic Designs of Old Houses
Using traditional Arabic architecture design, old houses are a solid representation of the faded grandeur of the past. These designs were typically used by kings and wealthy families from an era long gone, providing a unique look for these homes. Because of its high-profile appeal, many of these designs were adopted by architects, resulting in modernised versions of these structures.
History of Arabic Home Design
The oldest designs for Arab houses date back to 7000 BCE, primarily used for protection against low temperatures and desert elements. Since then, the designs have evolved and refined, incorporating intricate detailing and emphasizing air flow for cooling. Many of the early designs were constructed using mud and bricks, with rich motifs and colourful designs on the walls.
Architectural Characteristics and Iconic Features
The
old Arabic house design
is characterized by its intricate detailing, transparency, and open plan levels that allow for natural air ventilation for cooling.
Arabic house designs
typically incorporate movements that echo classic Islamic arts, like the decorations on the walls and around windows. With sloping roofs made of terra-cotta or colorful tiles, the structures also feature carved wooden doors and mashrabiyyas — intricate hand-carved wooden latticework used to protect homes from the sun.
The courtyards of these old
Arabic home designs
typically have large, awe-inspiring fountains in the center, offering an oasis-like surrounding with lush greenery and natural shade. These courtyards are often accompanied with intricate stylistic patterns, adding to the exotic and luxurious charm of the space.
Revival of Old Arabic House Designs
Today, we are seeing a revival of the
old Arabic house designs
, as people continue to admire the beauty of these structures. To avoid disrupting the classic look and feel of the buildings, many modern architects are using contemporary materials and methods of construction to create structures that utilize the features of the old designs, while still delivering modern style. With increasing demand for these structures, we’re certain to see the revival of more of these iconic designs in the years to come.
