The Restoration of the House of Sheikh Said Maktoum Al-Maktoum

The House of Sheikh Saeed Bin Maktoum Al Maktoum was constructed during the period of Sheikh Maktoum bin Hasher Al Maktoum in 1896. It is considered one of the oldest houses in Dubai. Since its construction, the house had undergone many changes, but was still occupied till 1958. The main function of this houses was not only to be a residence for the ruler family but also to serve as an administrative headquarter for the sheikh.
In 1981, the Municipality decided to repair the building to keep it preserved by instructing the consultant to prepare the executive drawings where architectural, formative, and original components of the building had been observed. The repair project included the necessary strengthening of structures, foundations, ceilings along with the relevant electromechanical works within the framework of maintaining the traditional design, where repair was terminated in 1986.
Sheikh Said House has now been returned to its rightful place as one of the most significant historic building in Dubai. Its restoration and transformation has created a historic site that is environmentally and historically in harmony with its surroundings, yet offer visitors a rewarding, educational and enjoyable experience.

The design of the houses was mainly based on clustering of different masses around the main court open. Each mass was considered as an independent living wing for one of the sons of the sheikh. There are four wings; one public majlis on the ground floor and another one on the first floor for summer time. The four wings are; The wing of the late Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum Al Maktoum, the wing of late Juma bin hasher bin Maktoum Al Maktoum, and the wing of the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Maktoum.
The house with total built up area of 3600 square meters is considered the largest and oldest houses in historic shindagha, an area is known as a residence for the royal family. With its distinctive four wind towers, good location on the creek and its nicely gypsum decoration, the house is considered one of the most sophisticated house in Dubai. The evolution of the house over the time was reflected in different styles of arcades in the liwans and colonnaded verandah in front of the rooms in the ground floor, where you can find either flat arches or flat arches with corner decoration or in some location pointed arches colonnades. The roofing of some parts of the buildings was also different. in some part you can find chandal wood beam and other recent ones you can find square wood section beams .
The house has two entrances, the main one is indirect and can be accessed from the creek side with built-in seats in its walls. There are also some other built-in seats on the exterior elevation. Most of the exterior facades are solid with minimum openings especially in the ground floor to prevent the direct sun from entering into the rooms during the hot summer. Nicely decorated recesses in the wall with geometric gypsum patterns were used in the exterior and interior facades in an attempt to break the monotony and solidness of the faces. One can say that this house is a good example on how the light and clever natural play of solid and void can create a joyful rich visual experience.

The design of the houses was mainly based on clustering of different masses around the main court open. Each mass was considered as an independent living wing for one of the sons of the sheikh. There are four wings; one public majlis on the ground floor and another one on the first floor for summer time. The four wings are; The wing of the late Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum Al Maktoum, the wing of late Juma bin hasher bin Maktoum Al Maktoum, and the wing of the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Maktoum.
The house with total built up area of 3600 square meters is considered the largest and oldest houses in historic shindagha, an area is known as a residence for the royal family. With its distinctive four wind towers, good location on the creek and its nicely gypsum decoration, the house is considered one of the most sophisticated house in Dubai. The evolution of the house over the time was reflected in different styles of arcades in the liwans and colonnaded verandah in front of the rooms in the ground floor, where you can find either flat arches or flat arches with corner decoration or in some location pointed arches colonnades. The roofing of some parts of the buildings was also different. in some part you can find chandal wood beam and other recent ones you can find square wood section beams .
The house has two entrances, the main one is indirect and can be accessed from the creek side with built-in seats in its walls. There are also some other built-in seats on the exterior elevation. Most of the exterior facades are solid with minimum openings especially in the ground floor to prevent the direct sun from entering into the rooms during the hot summer. Nicely decorated recesses in the wall with geometric gypsum patterns were used in the exterior and interior facades in an attempt to break the monotony and solidness of the faces. One can say that this house is a good example on how the light and clever natural play of solid and void can create a joyful rich visual experience.