Built for the Heat: Qatari Heritage and the Art of Staying Cool

Through smart architecture, climate-conscious clothing, and storytelling traditions, they turned the challenge of heat into an opportunity for connection and culture. Many of these practices are preserved today in Qatar Museums’ (QM) collections — particularly at the National Museum of Qatar (NMOQ) — offering a glimpse into how people adapted, thrived, and stayed cool.

Cooling by Design

Looking at cooling innovations modern day Qatar boasts, one might be forgiven to think this has always been the way in our sun-soaked peninsula.

Outdoor air conditioning bursts through grates in some of the capital’s busiest locations, while our sports stadiums enjoy a temperate climate no matter what time of year it is.

However, it was traditional Qatari architecture that began this wave of innovation. Shaped by necessity, wind towers (barjeel) were crafted to catch even the slightest breeze and funnel it indoors — a passive cooling system that predates the modern ventilation we know and enjoy now. At NMOQ , visitors can explore scale models of historic homes that feature these towers, alongside archival photographs from towns like Al Wakrah and Doha.

Homes were often built using coral stone and gypsum, materials valued for their ability to keep interiors cool. Features like inner courtyards, shaded passageways, and high ceilings helped regulate indoor temperatures. These traditional methods continue to inspire sustainable design in Qatar today.

Dressing for the Climate

Qataris have long worn clothing that is both protective and breathable — a tradition that continues today. In the desert, where temperatures fluctuate dramatically between scorching days and cooler nights, garments had to be both breathable and adaptable.

In summer, lighter colours such as white are commonly worn to reflect the sun’s rays, while in winter, darker tones like brown, grey, or navy help retain warmth. These seasonal shifts are still observed today in everyday wear, particularly in the colour of the thobe and abaya.

Historically, when communities lived in the desert or along the coast, garments were made from materials like cotton and light wool, chosen for their breathability and durability. Men’s thobes were loose-fitting and made to allow airflow, while women’s abayas offered modest coverage while also protecting from the harsh sun and blowing sand. Head coverings — the ghutra for men and the shayla for women — were essential for shielding the face and head and could be adjusted throughout the day depending on the conditions.

In the NMoQ’s Life in Al Barr gallery, visitors can explore a range of garments and textiles that show this enduring relationship between clothing and climate. While contemporary versions often use modern fabrics and tailoring, the principles remain the same: clothing in Qatar continues to express a balance of practicality, tradition, and personal identity. Many pieces are still hand-stitched or embroidered, reflecting the craft and care passed down through generations.

Storytelling and Summer Gatherings

During the hottest hours of the day, families gathered in shaded majlis spaces — indoors or under palm-frond shelters (arish) — where hospitality, rest, and tradition came to life. More than just a place to cool down, the majlis was, and still is, the social heart of the home. It is where stories are told, poetry recited, news exchanged, and guests welcomed — always with a fresh pot of Arabic coffee and a bowl of sweet dates within reach.

Historically, these gatherings offered a space for elders to pass down oral traditions, folktales, and wisdom to younger generations. The atmosphere was often filled with the scent of burning incense and the rhythmic clink of porcelain coffee cups — a sensory ritual that brought people together even during the quietest hours of the day.

Today, the majlis remains an enduring symbol of Qatari identity — a space for daily conversations, religious gatherings, family occasions, and celebrations such as Eid and Ramadan. It is where guests are honoured, where debates unfold, and where community is continuously reaffirmed.

Objects like coffee pots (dallah), incense burners, and embroidered cushions from Qatar Museums’ collections bring these settings to life. These artefacts are more than decorative pieces — they evoke a culture of community, memory, and seasonal rhythm.

Enduring Wisdom

The ways Qataris once adapted to the summer heat — through architecture, clothing, and gathering — were rooted in a natural understanding of the environment and a way of life that avoided waste.  Homes were built using local, natural materials designed to last and cool passively; clothing was made from breathable fabrics that required minimal processing and could withstand harsh conditions; and the majlis offered a space for communal living, shared resources, and minimal waste.

These traditions weren’t just useful — they were part of everyday life. People made do with what they had, adjusted their clothing with the seasons, and gathered together to share meals, stories, and space. It was a simple way of living that avoided waste and worked in harmony with the environment.

These traditions remain part of daily life and are carefully preserved in museum galleries and cultural practices across the country.

As each summer returns, these objects and stories remind us that heritage holds lessons for sustainable living — and how the past continues to inspire and inform the present.