The objective was to restore the buildings to their original condition using traditional Yemeni construction materials and methods.

We returned these buildings to the urban landscape and community. As important places of social interaction, they constitute a spiritual reference in local life.

Most of the stone used in the construction was collected on site from the debris of the edifice minimising waste.

Master builders and craftspeople from the region played a central role in the reconstruction planning and execution.

“Culture and architecture are inextricably interrelated” – Salma Samar Damluji

Nearly all the stone needed for the reconstruction of the buildings, which took around six months, was salvaged from the rubble – an approach that is as sustainable as it is poetic.

Materials were produced locally on site and from the immediate surroundings which eliminates energy consumption from processing and transportation.

In restoring the buildings, nothing foreign was introduced, and no additional footprint was created, except when an expansion was necessary or infrastructure needed upgrading.

The very thick walls and the low conductivity of mud as a material make the interior of buildings very cool during the day, eliminating the need for a mechanical cooling system.

Materials were produced locally on site and from the immediate surroundings which eliminates energy consumption from processing and transportation.

Local builders brought the knowledge and skills needed to reconstruct the structures using traditional building methods and materials – a nod to the cultural heritage of the region, but also an important measure in terms of the sustainability of the architecture.