Moucharabiehs

Moucharabieh, which first appeared nearly eight centuries ago, is now the stuff of dreams, thanks to its originality and delicacy. More than ever at the heart of current architectural trends, it creates a subdued ambience, protected from the outside world.

This oriental partition allows you to see without being seen, to control the air and to protect yourself from the sun. Against a backdrop of global warming, architects are increasingly using it for residential buildings, hotels, schools and other public buildings.

Playing on the effects of light and shadow, it’s a subtle way of embellishing spaces and weaving a subtle link between inside and outside. Lightweight and unexpected, it adds a designer touch to any façade.

Use Moucharabieh terracotta bricks to create open spaces and create fluidity to break the monotony of a building. Both aesthetically pleasing and durable, they offer infinite creative freedom to leave a unique architectural mark.

Rairies Montrieux bricks are made using local, artisanal know-how, and come in a variety of shapes and colors to create an innovative, graceful structure, where a variation of voids and solids create a symphony of light on walls and floors.

Forget unsightly wire mesh or fragile screens, and opt for elegance and sturdiness.

Origins

Moucharabieh first appeared in Egypt in the 13th century. It was originally used in harems in Arab countries to protect women from prying eyes. It then spread rapidly to the Maghreb and the Orient, where it became a central architectural feature of homes. In these hot countries, it was used to protect from the sun, high temperatures and glare, but also to ventilate, air and provide elegant decoration.

Traditionally made from turned and assembled pieces of wood, the Moucharabieh or moucharabié takes its name from the Arabic machrabiyyah, which refers to the place where people used to sit to drink. Indeed, jugs of drinking water were stored in the shade of the Moucharabiehs to keep them cool.

Shade, privacy, ventilation, safety

The Moucharabieh is an impressive and bewitching architectural creation with many assets.

It allows you to see without being seen, creating an intimate space out of sight, while allowing air and light to circulate. It can offer an alternative to a window, creating greater security and discretion. In fact, it’s a great way to protect against wind and intruders without giving up the sun and air flow. On a terrace, for example, it prevents dust accumulation and creates a calm, protected space.

Today, it is chosen above all for its aesthetic advantages and the great freedom it offers to create surprising, sculptural facades.

A sustainable architectural element

Made from natural raw materials including clay, Moucharabieh bricks are part of a sustainable development approach.

Thanks to its energy efficiency, low environmental impact and reduced greenhouse gas emissions, terracotta is a material that meets the requirements of environmental regulations.

Incorporating Moucharabieh clay bricks into an architectural project helps to limit its carbon footprint. Durable and extremely hard-wearing, they require very little maintenance, so they retain their beauty and properties for many decades to come.

Thanks to metal rods custom-fitted into the clay bricks, Moucharabieh offers a solid structure that withstands wind and impact.

Create without limits

Originally used mainly for its natural ventilation qualities, today Moucharabieh is most often used for its aesthetic qualities. It’s an original way of partitioning spaces, playing with light and shadow or enhancing a facade. But, at a time when the planet is warming up, regaining the ability to ventilate a space can be relevant. It can be used to create ventilation openings while guaranteeing a high level of anti-intrusion security.

Floral motifs, geometric shapes, symmetrical or irregular spaces, you can personalize it to your heart’s content. This traditional element blends perfectly with modern, original constructions. On request, we make the holes to insert the metal rods into the clay bricks, creating the unique structure you need.

This modern reinterpretation of cladding comes in a multitude of colors. Moucharabieh bricks can be glazed in over 200 colors on one, two or three sides. Combinable with the shades of the cladding panels, they integrate easily and skilfully with the rest of the building. You can also choose different colors between the facade and the interior of the building for an original color scheme.

To take personalization even further, opt for spacers and reveal your creativity. This connecting piece is available in different shapes and colors to give you even more possibilities. We can manufacture spacers in round, triangular or square shapes.

Laying Moucharabieh bricks

This complex, multi-constrained architectural element requires unique know-how. At Rairies Montrieux, we’ll work with you on your project, providing our expertise to create customized bricks that are technically adapted to the requirements of your site.

Moucharabieh terracotta bricks can be reinforced with concrete reinforcing bars, or dry-laid with threaded rods or threaded onto stainless steel or galvanized tubes. The bricks are delivered directly to your worksite, ready for installation.

Don’t hesitate to contact our specialists for more information on our products and services.