arabic typology
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The typical Arabic house is a mansion over 2 or 3 floors. Externally it has a simple whitewash lime render over coral rock and mortar walls. The ground floor has public rooms and functions as the reception area for guests and celebrations. The upper floor(s) are private and for the family. The rooms are arranged around an inner, central courtyard that provides the house with cross-ventilation and light. The houses have flat roof terraces surrounded by crenelated parapet walls. The building has
a functional simplicity and is not ornamented except for the front doors, which are richly carved. The houses are arranged close to each other and create rather shaded and narrow streets. This type of houses is common in Stone Town but not in Chwaka. Conclusion: Courtyard offers a good solution for cross ventilation and the roof terrace offers social space on an upper floor.