The home was created and redesigned by architect Noha Taha.
In an exclusive interview with Ahram Online, Taha shared her experience and highlighted the design's Bedouin-inspired elements.
Taha expressed her excitement about working in a Bedouin environment in Sinai: "I was thrilled to have the opportunity to design a home in Dahab, a small village in South Sinai, located near the Red Sea and surrounded by the stunning mountain horizon."
This home, situated among the original inhabitants of Dahab—the Bedouins—was built on a 150-square-metre plot, originally constructed and owned by the Bedouins several years ago.
The homes in Dahab are known for using nature-inspired colours, including shades of blue representing the sea and earthy browns reflecting the land. White walls enhance natural light. Local materials such as stone, wood, and tent fabrics reflect the Bedouin heritage.
The design also incorporates handmade patterns and decorations inspired by the Bedouin lifestyle and the surrounding nature. Additionally, the architecture features irregular lines and arched windows—elements that reflect the simple, practical Bedouin style, which is well suited to the desert climate and provides comfort and shade.
Taha further explained the modifications to the home's original structure: "The house begins with a courtyard that welcomes guests, a common feature in Bedouin homes. I added a wooden bench near the entrance, in line with the Bedouin style. Moreover, I preserved the tree in the middle of the courtyard to offer shade and relief from the sun."
Embracing Bedouin heritage with modern touches
Upon entering the house, visitors are greeted by a reception area that exudes Bedouin charm. The area prominently uses arches and wood, especially in the ceilings.
Taha emphasised how she respected the house's Bedouin heritage by utilising local materials such as stone, wood, and tent fabrics. "I kept the wooden structures as they were," she noted. However, I added some decorative tiles on the built-in seating and walls to enhance the artisanal atmosphere of Dahab." She also used white walls to increase natural light and create a sense of spaciousness.
Taha further designed a wooden bookshelf in front of the built-in seating, a feature part of the original layout, and opened a window in a wall where there hadn't been one before.
From the reception area, the space flows into an open dining area connected to the kitchen, another key feature in Bedouin homes. The two bedrooms, designed with traditional Bedouin elements, feature wooden ceilings and windows.
To adorn the spaces, Taha included paintings that reflect the local environment, particularly depictions of boats, the sea, and the natural landscape of Dahab. The bathroom was designed using mosaic tiles, wood, and wicker as the primary materials.
The home's colour palette blends some of Dahab's natural hues, such as the sea's blue, the palm trees' green, and the mountains' earthy tones.
She faced a challenge in that the house had no staircase, and there was no suitable place for one except in the back passage where the main entrance was. "I designed the staircase there and moved the entrance to the right side of the house," she explained.
The rooftop was transformed into a seating area, offering views of the surrounding nature, including the mountains and greenery. Taha blended contemporary and Bedouin styles in the furniture and décor of the rooftop. Instead of laying tiles, she painted the existing waterproof layer in green, blue, and white, echoing the colour scheme used throughout the house.
In designing this home, Taha aimed to preserve the irregular lines that were initially present, as they reflected the human touch of the Bedouin workers who built it. "I focused on enhancing the sense of warmth and hospitality inherent in Bedouin culture while adapting the space to a more settled way of life," Taha concluded.
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