The traditional houses of the Hijaz region solve the heat in a hot and dry climate with their architecture. The façade language of life in Makkah is nourished from here.
Thick wall, measured opening#
Large glass surfaces absorb heat. The traditional solution is the opposite: the wall thickens, the opening shrinks, and it is shaded. The deep niches on the facade continue this logic.
Courtyard, the cool core of the house#
The courtyard acts like a chimney in the middle of the house; as warm air rises, cool air is drawn in from the shaded surfaces.
Material and color#
Sand, linen, and earth tones are not just aesthetic choices; light-colored surfaces reflect the sun.
To Translate to Today#
The goal is not to replicate an old house, but to establish the same climate logic with a contemporary plan.
