The Architecture of Yemen and Its Reconstruction

Architect Damluji expands on her 2007 Architecture of Yemen with this astute photographic examination of Yemen’s architectural heritage. Lavishly illustrated with abundant renderings, photographs, and diagrams, the book begins with a survey of the history, construction methods, and unique architectural details of the country’s mosques and residences (“In older houses, design details were meticulously worked out for different areas and wall niches used for storage or utensils”). The second part describes the 2006–2014 reconstruction of the oldest mosque in Hadramut’s Aynat province and of 13 homes belonging to the Ba Surrah family in Daw’an; the restoration of the 19th-century Husn Qart Majid fort, before war hit the country in 2015; and a UNESCO World Heritage project in the walled city of Shibam focused on restoring crumbling mud brick structures after war and water damage in 2017. Throughout, Damluji investigates traditional yet innovative building technology and design concepts that are being lost to more contemporary building styles and products. Erudite and thorough, this volume will most appeal to archaeologists, academics, and architectural historians. (May)