German and Arab Scientists Study Traditional Gulf Architecture to Combat Climate Change

Built for the harsh desert heat using stone, coral, and mud brick, traditional homes in the UAE are central to the nation's heritage. Today, these historic Gulf-style houses are being examined by an academy of German and Arab scientists to help address the modern challenge of climate change.

Researchers involved in the project, which explores the architecture of the UAE, Oman, and Algeria, note that traditional methods have sometimes been overshadowed by European techniques. However, in a climate-conscious era, natural cooling strategies are increasingly in demand across Europe, including in Germany.

The natural climate control demonstrated at Al Ain Oasis, utilizing mud brick as one of the oldest technologies known to humanity, formed part of the submission that secured the UAE its inaugural Unesco World Heritage listing in 2010. Architect Dawud Al Ansari told The National that local designers often prefer working with local materials and layouts, but restrictive municipal building codes—largely copied and pasted from British standards—frequently present obstacles.

This challenge inspired a research initiative funded by the Arab-German Young Academy of Sciences and Humanities, which receives financial support from the German government. Researchers are analyzing Arab designs and their energy efficiency, with findings scheduled to be presented in Muscat to scientists from Germany, the UAE, and beyond.

This architectural research coincides with deepening energy and climate ties between Germany and the Gulf. With German interest in importing hydrogen and natural gas from the UAE, President Sheikh Mohamed is heading to Germany for a state visit focused heavily on economic relations.

Dr Al Ansari, founder of Oman's Shaheen Institute and a professor at Berlin's Technical University, initiated the project with a tour of Gulf homes, celebrating the variety and beauty of local housing styles. A primary focus is passive cooling, utilizing natural ventilation, coral stone that absorbs less heat, and wind towers known as barjeels, drawing from Arabian, Indian, and Persian traditions.

As Germany faces rising cooling costs and extreme heatwaves, the German government actively funds energy-efficient buildings. Dr Al Ansari suggests that applying local knowledge, such as traditional Omani limestone to retain cool air and block heat, could offer significant energy-saving properties in Europe, provided local permit regulations evolve.

Ultimately, a forthcoming policy forum will discuss embedding traditional, climate-adapted architecture into official building codes, fostering stronger climate collaboration between the UAE and Germany as both nations pursue ambitious net-zero targets.