Privacy as Design Element in Traditional Emirati House and Attire

Abstract

Privacy is considered an important value in the Emirati society, which holds a strong Islamic identity; therefore, it has influenced its traditions and style of living. As a result, the design of the traditional residential unit and attire, for both male and female, has reflected this social element. In this paper, we will explore, analyze, and compare the design characteristics that are common between Emirati vernacular architecture and the traditional Emirati clothing, which respond to the need for privacy. We visited houses in the historic neighborhood of Al Bastakyia in Dubai and examined the traditional Emirati attire before and after the modernization movement. We conclude that common design features do exist in fashion and architecture, and that they were meant to provide various levels of privacy on individual, family, and societal levels. The final goal is to achieve a moral society that preserves the dignity of its members and strives for a general sense of equality.