The mention of Dubai conjures up images of oil-driven towering buildings, iconic hotels, and snow skiing and water parks in the desert. Dubai Creek is the beating heart of the city with a chaotic frenzy of workers, abra (wooden water taxi) catchers, shoppers and travellers all bustling with activity.
In sharp contrast is the neighbouring historic district of Al Bastikiya. Built by wealthy Iranian traders in the late 1800s, a gentle stroll around the peaceful but tangled streets of Al Bastikiya highlights the wonderful adobe wind tower (or windcatcher) houses. With the houses built closely together to maximise shade, this ingenious design uses natural ventilation to target the extremes of weather of scorching hot dry days and chilly nights.
The cooling effect is due to the air movement (the air isn’t actually cooled) with the air forced downwards into the main living areas of the house. Similar ideas are used in the Middle East with some extending the idea by steering the air over running water to provide a natural form of air-conditioning (a similar technique was practised in Amer Fort in Rajastan).
Take some time out from the souqs and shopping of Dubai for a peaceful stroll through the historic Al Bastikiya area and see the inventive resourcefulness of the past traders in making living in the heat of Dubai as refreshing and pleasant as possible.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
The Wind Towers of Al Bastikiya (Dubai, UAE)
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7 comments:
Brilliant architecture! I've never been to Dubai yet - but this little neighborhood looks like my kind of place to wander around!
@sherry: Coupled with the nearby museum, it is a great area of Dubai.
so brilliant architecture
@wonder of my world: Love your name...I agree that the architecture is so ingenious
Beautiful pics
Architecture is an great thing to watch by this you get new and great idea to work more effectively
@bangkok: This is remarkable arhcitecture well wirth checking out if you are in Dubai.
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