Towards a ‘contemporary vernacular’ high-rise residential development in the Middle-East and North-Africa: learning from the socio-spatial qualities of the vernacular model

In the age of globalisation and continuous urbanisation, the emergence of tall buildings as a housing type could be considered a hallmark of the contemporary cityscape. This research focuses on the hot-arid climates of the Middle-East and North-Africa. Most of current tall buildings in these regions are designed with monotonous layouts and spatial distribution. They are not fit for purpose for families and social cohesion as they have been constructed without consideration for local identity and lifestyle. In contrast, vernacular courtyard houses are good examples of social and healthy environments. The question then becomes: how can the successful social, cultural and environmental characteristics of these dwellings be translated into the design of sustainable tall buildings. The authors will assess relationships between spatial organisation and social patterns of courtyard houses, through a typological analysis approach, as a trace of lifestyle and cultural values of the society. This will lead to establishment of appropriate solutions for tall buildings that facilitate the synergy of socio-climatic qualities relevant to the specifics of time and identity of place.