Skyscrapers are an unmissable characteristic of contemporary settlements. From São Paolo to New York, from Seoul to Dubai – these towering structures are a ubiquitous part of the urban fabric. The conventional image one has of these structures is of curtain-walled facades, but in Yemen – an ancient example goes against this trend. Central Yemen is home to the city of Shibam, surrounded by a fortified wall. It’s also home to a dazzling example of architectural ingenuity – tower houses that date back to the 16th century, stretching up to seven stories high.
Constructed out of mud brick, they provide shade for the streets below, housing complex living patterns. Tools and animals, for instance, are kept on the ground floor, with food on the second. Elderly people usually live on the third floor, with the fourth floor used for entertaining.
