12th century in Baghdad during the Abbasid period. In Iraq during the 1920s and 1930s, the designs of the latticework were influenced by the Art Nouveau and Art Deco movements of the time. Mashrabiyas, along with other distinct features of historic Islamic architecture, were being demolished as part of a modernisation program across the Arab world from the first decades of the 20th century. In Baghdad, members of the arts community feared that vernacular architecture would be lost permanently and took steps to preserve them. The architect, Rifat Chadirji and his father, Kamil, photographed structures and monuments across Iraq and the Saudi region, and published a book of photographs. Such initiatives have contributed to a renewed interest in traditional practices as a means of building sustainable residences in harsh climatic conditions. Construction Mashrabiya are vernacular architectural elements; a type of balcony or oriel window in the form of a small latticed opening encasing the second or higher floors of a building and typically overlooking an internal courtyard. They are usually cantilevered to add more square footage to the upper floors, as well as providing shade to the first-floor windows. The lattice work ranges from simple geometric shapes through to ornate patterns. Architecturally, they are designed to satisfy one or more of the following functions: control air flow reduce the temperature of the air current, increase the humidity of the air current provide privacy. Latticework designs differ from region to region, however the commonly used patterns include: Hexagonal –a simple geometric design with repeating hexagonal patterns Kanaysi or Church – long narrow balusters which are assembled vertically Maymoni – mesh with rounded balusters in some sections and squared balusters in other areas Cross - the short round balusters assembled diagonally, vertical and horizontally Sahrigi (Cistern turnery) large balusters in a wide mesh, and it is typically used in the upper part of the Mashrabiya Other – a variety of complex patterns using amalgamation of existing designs and repetition, used by skilled artisans Effective ventilation and passive cooling could be enhanced by adding a water jar, also known as a qullah, inside the mashrabiya. Most mashrabiyas are closed where the latticework is lined with stained glass and part of the mashrabiya is designed to be opened like a window, often sliding windows to save space; in this case the area contained is part of the upper floor rooms hence enlarging the floor