The Architecture of Yemen

Book excerpt: Until the early 1990s the southern and eastern towns of Yemen were extremely difficult to access. The result of nearly two decades of research, this is the first book to offer an in-depth investigation into the characteristic architecture of the region. The author's first hand research provides detailed insights into building techniques and methods, though still practiced, are little known outside the area. Refreshingly, the book moves out of the more familiar major cities into the hinterlands and explores regions that could be said to be the last strongholds of traditional Arab architecture. The author was allowed to visit locations and sites that had previously been closed to architectural historians. As a result of this privileged access, the text and images combine to convey unique insights and viewpoints: those of the master builders and house owners who actually create and inhabit the buildings.