Transferable tectonics: rethinking building technology in the Arabian Gulf cities

Despite the Arabian Gulf's challenging environment, the predominant scenographic trend in Gulf architecture overlooks the significance of intergenerational (past to present) tectonic legacy in contemporary practices. The paper seeks to redress this oversight by exploring the nuanced intersections between architectural tectonics, built heritage and future advancements. Tectonics in building construction values material authenticity, structural logic, and craftsmanship, transforming buildings into expressive forms that respond to evolving technologies and cultural contexts. We argue that revisiting tectonics can bridge legacy and modern technology, facilitating low-energy building solutions and advancing the use of bio-based, natural, and low-carbon materials in context-sensitive built environments through innovation. In this alignment, the paper first draws upon two key discursive tectonic directions for transferability: (A) material-construction and practical aesthetics/technical art, and (B) interdependence of structure-art. Second, it employs a multi-scale analysis—spanning components, materials, systems, and buildings—within a relational framework to achieve the objective. We explore the tectonics of Turbah (earth, adobe) and Arish to the Bayt al Sha'ar (black tent) and Bādgīr/Barjeel (windtower/windcatcher) through discourse and on-site investigations. A dialogical analysis is used to connect the tectonic legacy with emerging development in the built environment along the East–West global axis. As an outcome, we derive tectonic-informed pathways for innovation in material technology and sustainability through scientifically validated environmental synergies. A relational multi-scale framework is established for integrating tectonics into modern buildings. Using this framework, architects, engineers, and city planners can develop innovative and sustainable built environments that are visually sensible, technically advanced, ecologically responsible, and well-adapted to the specific challenges of the Gulf cities.