Perforated Architecture: 20 Projects that Bring Back the Historic Musharrabiya

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There is often an intricate relationship between architecture and the environment. Each part of the world has defined its own architectural techniques based on its unique climatic conditions. However, environmental concerns in the 21st century provoked new techniques, implementing solutions to preserve natural resources and provide thermal comfort. While some opted for a futuristic approach with mechanical and technologically-advanced solutions, others decided to go back in time and explore how civilizations protected their people, architecture, and environment when they had nothing else to resort to but the environment itself. In this article, we look at how Musharrabiyas found their way back into modern-day architecture as significant vernacular features.

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The Mediterranean region's climate is characterized by a hot and often dry weather due to the fact that it is surrounded by deserts, whether it is the Sahara in North Africa, or the desert in the Arabian gulf. Naturally, structures in ancient times were not equipped with mechanical ventilation systems, so they were designed to tackle the natural conditions and optimize indoor thermal comfort by relying on natural resources. The Musharrabiya, also known as Mashrabiya, was first introduced in the Arabic regions of the Middle East and North Africa. It is believed that its name came from the Arabic word “Sharab” which translates to “drink”, due to the fact that the Musharrabiya referred to a cool, shaded place where one can drink water from a clay pot. Others believe that the word was derived from “Mashrafiya” which translates to “an observation place”, which is why it was often associated to a small protruding wooden balcony in houses.