Dammam, July (پاکستان پوائنٹ نیوز 19 يوليو 2026ء) The oasis' traditional architecture harmoniously combines coastal and agricultural influences, presenting a living example of integrated sustainable design and a tangible expression of a unique dual identity.
Historically, the area served as a vital center for commercial and maritime trade and a meeting point for caravans across the Arabian Peninsula. Against this backdrop, local master builders achieved an exceptional balance between the use of locally available materials and adaptation to the region's climate.
As life evolved, new construction materials became available beyond those found in the surrounding environment. Yet the oasis' historic homes have remained enduring landmarks that tell the story of a civilization. Their architecture blends traditional building materials with visual aesthetics, creating a distinct architectural identity shaped by local marine and coral stones, clay, locally produced gypsum, lime plaster, palm trunks, bamboo stalks, jandal timber, and other materials.
Local heritage researcher Mohammed Almusaly explained that the structural framework and thick walls of these historic buildings relied on limestone and coral stones extracted from the seabed of the Arabian Gulf and the shallow waters near the coast. Their porous, lightweight nature allowed the buildings to absorb high coastal humidity during the day, storing it within the walls and releasing it at night as cool vapor, providing a unique form of natural thermal insulation.
Almusaly added that sticky clay was sourced from abundant freshwater springs and nearby clay-rich land to create a flexible mortar that bound the stones together while withstanding ground movement and changing weather conditions without cracking. The walls were then coated with local gypsum and lime plaster, whose bright white finish reflected the intense sunlight and helped keep interior spaces free of insects and parasites.
Builders also incorporated textiles, such as woven Haseer, as insulating layers beneath the ceilings to prevent dust from falling into interior rooms, he added.
