Mashrabiya

Mashrabiya is a traditional architectural feature in the Islamic world, consisting of a projecting window or enclosed balcony shielded by intricately carved wooden lattice screens. The screen, often made of wood, can form a deep, ornate balcony that projects from a façade and surrounds the interior opening. The lattice patterns range from geometric to vegetal motifs and are designed to filter sunlight while allowing air to circulate.

In use, the mashrabiya serves multiple purposes. The lattice shading reduces heat gain and creates a cooler microclimate inside, while the projecting form catches breeze. The opened interior is typically a room or chamber where occupants, traditionally women, can observe the street and interact with passersby while preserving privacy from outside.

Mashrabiyas are most associated with urban houses in the Arab world, especially in Cairo, Damascus, Aleppo, Jerusalem, and other cities of the Levant and North Africa. They flourished from medieval to Ottoman periods and were often integrated with other decorative elements such as plasterwork, stucco, and sometimes stained glass.

In contemporary architecture, mashrabiya-inspired screens are used for climate-sensitive shading and cultural reference. Preservation and restoration projects in historic quarters seek to maintain traditional carpentry, while modern materials are sometimes used to replicate the lattice and projection.