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Unfolding the Multilayered Beauty of Arabic Architecture: An Artist’s Personal Journey

April 4, 2025

A personal exploration of tradition, beauty, and the timeless legacy of Arabic design and architecture.


Restored Hijazi architecture in Jeddah, with signature green mashrabiya balconies and coral stone walls.

Multilayered Beauty: The Timeless Legacy of Arabic Architecture

Even though I have lived in the Arab world for years and constantly travel across Arab countries, I still find myself mesmerized—over and over again. There is something profoundly unique about this part of the world, something that stays with you, grows on you, and reveals itself in layers, much like its architecture.

What fascinates me most—both as an artist and a designer—is how Arabic culture balances heritage and modernity without contradiction. The world is constantly evolving, yet here, the past is not just preserved—it is lived, worn, and celebrated with pride.

I see it in the abaya and kandura, which at first glance may seem simple and traditional, but when you look closer, you notice the elegance of the cut, the subtle embroidery, the luxurious fabrics that move effortlessly with the person wearing them. And underneath the abaya? A world of layered fashion, modern yet deeply connected to tradition.

The same can be said for Arabic architecture and design. What may appear minimal from afar is, in reality, a deeply intricate and multilayered experience, one that tells stories of centuries past while standing firmly in the present.

Design That Lives Through Centuries

What amazes me the most about Arabic design is that it is not a relic of the past—it is a living, breathing entity, just like the people who carry their traditions forward.

Across Morocco, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt, I have seen how architecture remains rooted in history yet continuously reinterpreted. It’s in the way traditional courtyards are reimagined in modern homes, how mashrabiya screens now shape contemporary hotel facades, how arches soften even the most minimalist interiors, and how calligraphy and geometric patterns find their place in sleek, modern structures.

Arabic design does not simply follow trends—it sets them, because it is built on something deeper than aesthetics: a connection to identity, land, and climate.

This is why the Arab world doesn’t just have “beautiful old buildings”—it has an entire design philosophy that is as practical as it is poetic.

Historic stone facade showcasing intricate Arabic carvings and craftsmanship
Historic stone facade showcasing traditional Arabic craftsmanship and geometry. Cairo, Egypt
Contemporary architecture blending modern forms with Arabic influences.
Contemporary architecture blending modern lines with Arabic motifs and rhythm. Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Mashrabiya screens playing with light and shadow in traditional design.
Mashrabiya screens play with light and shadow, casting intricate patterns across the space. Sharjah, UAE
A modern courtyard inspired by Arabic design with geometric patterns.
A modern courtyard inspired by traditional Arabic design, with geometric patterns and natural materials. Sharjah, UAE
A ceramic arch fragment preserving centuries-old Arabic artistry and ornamentation.
A ceramic arch fragment, preserving centuries-old Arabic artistry and ornamentation. Jeddah, Saudi Arabia


Intricate lattice screens casting elegant shadows, showcasing the play of light in Arabic design
Lattice screens play with light and shadow, a timeless element of Arabic design.
Sunlight filtering through ornate wooden lattice, creating geometric shadow patterns on the wall.
Sunlight casting geometric shadows brings spaces to life.
Vivid green door framed by white and green Islamic geometric tiles, adding bold colour to traditional architecture
Bold colour choices bring vibrancy to traditional forms.
Close-up of a hand-carved wooden door with brass studs, displaying enduring Arabic craftsmanship
Subtle craftsmanship that stands the test of time.
Historic Cairo street with wooden mashrabiya and traditional banners, embodying urban heritage
Urban charm — tradition embedded in everyday architecture.
Adobe-style architecture in desert tones blending harmoniously with the natural surroundings
Earth tones and local materials create harmony with the environment.
Hand-carved wooden door with decorative blue tilework, reflecting artisanal heritage
Details carved by hand tell stories of heritage and artistry.
Ceiling of a traditional Arabic majlis, where intricate wooden craftsmanship complements modern furnishings
Historic craftsmanship meets modern comfort.
Ornate silver vessel with Arabic calligraphy and intricate patterns, transforming utility into art
Everyday objects elevated into art through intricate craftsmanship

The Juxtaposition That Makes Design Timeless

The contrast in Arabic architecture is what fascinates me most. Old and modern, bright and calm, open yet reserved—each element carefully chosen to create a space that is both inspiring and deeply grounding.


• Light & Shadow: From majestic domes to delicate lattice screens, Arabic design plays with light in a way that adds depth and movement to spaces. A room changes throughout the day, casting ever-shifting patterns that keep the eye engaged without overwhelming it.


• Bold & Subtle: Whether it’s the golden glow of Moroccan brass lanterns or the soft earth tones of Saudi desert homes, there’s always a balance of richness and restraint.


• Grand & Intimate: Even in the most magnificent mosques and palaces, there are small, human-scale details—hand-carved wooden doors, ceramic tiles, and poetic inscriptions—that make a space feel personal and warm.

This constant interplay is what makes Arabic design timeless. It does not demand attention with excess—it draws you in with layers of meaning, form, and function.

Arabic Design as a Global Influence

Arabic architecture is not just shaping the Middle East—it is leaving its mark worldwide.

I see it in luxury projects across Europe and Asia, where designers incorporate arches, geometric patterns, and natural materials into high-end homes and hotels. I see it in the rise of sustainable architecture, where centuries-old desert cooling techniques are being adapted into modern eco-conscious designs.

More and more, architects are realizing what the Arab world has known for centuries: beauty and function must exist in harmony, and design should always tell a story.

Boutique hotel façade with Arabic-inspired arches and intricate details, showcasing regional craftsmanship.
Boutique hospitality inspired by Arabic design aesthetics.
Contemporary building in Al Bald in Jeddah, with geometric Arabic patterns and earthy materials, blending tradition with modern design.
Modern architecture embracing Arabic motifs and natural textures.
View of Córdoba’s historic Islamic architecture, highlighting stone arches and ornamental details.
Endless arches of the Mezquita in Córdoba — a testament to the enduring influence of Islamic architecture in Europe.
Interior of the Mezquita in Córdoba, featuring ornate arches, calligraphy, and geometric designs.
Ornate prayer niche in the Mezquita, Córdoba — where intricate calligraphy and geometry blend in perfect harmony.
Intricate lattice window in the Alhambra, Granada, casting geometric light patterns on the floor.
Light and shadow dance through a lattice window in the Alhambra, Granada — an architectural masterpiece of Nasrid design.
Reflecting pool and arched gallery in the Alhambra courtyard, representing Andalusian elegance.
Reflections of heritage — the Alhambra’s courtyard and pool capture the beauty of Andalusian Islamic architecture.

Facade of the Jeddah Academy of Fine Art in Al-Balad, with green wooden mashrabiya balconies and historic Hijazi architecture.
Jeddah Academy of Fine Art in the heart of Al-Balad, preserving the heritage of traditional Hijazi architecture with its iconic wooden mashrabiya.
Brass armillary sphere on display, demonstrating historical Islamic astronomical knowledge.
Armillary sphere: a stunning example of Islamic astronomy, mapping the heavens with precision.
Modern exhibition installation featuring a large circular map with blue line, inspired by Islamic cosmology.
Contemporary interpretation of sacred geometry and cosmological maps at the Islamic Arts Biennale.
Elegant hotel lobby with ornate chandelier and Islamic-style arches in the ceiling.
Luxurious interior blending Islamic arches and European chandelier, illustrating cross-cultural influence in contemporary design. Ritz Carlton Hotel, Dubai
Ancient brass astrolabe displayed in a museum, representing Islamic contributions to science.
Historical astrolabe, showcasing the scientific advancements of the Islamic Golden Age in astronomy and navigation.
Night view of Dubai’s Museum of the Future with illuminated Arabic calligraphy facade.
Dubai’s Museum of the Future, adorned with Arabic calligraphy, symbolises the fusion of heritage and innovation in the Arab world.
Close-up of a historic wooden building in Cairo, featuring carved mashrabiya windows and an eclectic collection of signs and decorative objects
Traditional wooden facade with intricate mashrabiya detailing and eclectic signage, Cairo
Woman in traditional attire seated at an artistic installation with swirling circular patterns
Contemplating legacy and cosmic order at the Islamic Arts Biennale, surrounded by symbolic circular motifs.

A Legacy I’m Proud to Be Part Of

Every day, I discover something new about the rich history, culture, and design philosophy of the Arab world—and every day, I feel grateful to be part of it.

Though I am not Arab by birth, I have spent years immersed in this world, working alongside architects and designers who carry this legacy forward with pride. Their knowledge, their heritage, and their ability to blend the past with the future inspire me deeply.

Arabic history is not just about architecture—it is about science, astronomy, mathematics, and medicine. It is centuries of innovation woven into the DNA of design, a testament to a civilization that has shaped the world in more ways than one.

And that is why I am so proud to live here, to work here, and to contribute—however I can—to preserving and reinterpreting this extraordinary architectural language.

Because true luxury is not about excess—it is about depth, history, and meaning. And Arabic architecture, in all its layers, is the finest example of that.

A Personal Note from Claire

As an architect, designer, and passionate explorer of art and culture, I am constantly inspired by the beauty and depth of Arabic design. Every journey adds new layers to my creative vision, and I am eager to continue sharing these discoveries with you.

Follow along on my travels and artistic explorations — I share real-time insights, inspirations, and stories from the heart of heritage architecture and contemporary design on Instagram.

Let’s keep this conversation alive. Join me on Instagram @clairedominics for more behind-the-scenes moments and design inspiration.

Looking for something more personal?
Read about our experience at Art Connects Women 2025 — a global exhibition that touched on legacy, emotion, and the power of visual storytelling.

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picture of Claire Ordovsky Tanaevsky - founder and art director of Claire Dominics Buro

Warmly,
Claire Ordovsky Tanaevsky
Founder & Art Director, Claire Dominics Buro

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