The private residence of the Prime Minister of Yemen stands as a virtuoso example of mud-brick construction techniques - and as an effective protest against the abandoning of Yemen's distinctive architectural traditions in favour of generic Gulf-style villas built of reinforced concrete and cement. The two-storey residence is arranged around a central double-height court covered by a concrete shell dome. Within the court is a pool. Foundations are of stone, with cement mortar. Walls are load-bearing in mud brick (50 x 30 cm); whether internal or external, they are all 50 cm thick.

Source: Aga Khan Trust for Culture