The buildings are of stone masonry with thick walls and a vaulted superstructure. There is engraved decoration on the cupola and on the facets of the star's arms. Although many of the details of these structures may seem somewhat archaic, and some would argue that the housing type is no longer relevant for modern society, there are some important design points mentioned in this account which are definitely worth preserving, and can be applicable to modern life. For one, these houses are part of a cultural identity for the people of Palestine. Also, the materials and type of construction is very appropriate for a desert climate.
Thick walls allow for both protection from the heat of the day, and retain warmth on cold nights.
In fact, the water-cooling system on the parapet roofs is a model for the sustainable design being pushed in modern architecture. The arrangement of public and private spaces, overlapping yet remaining distinct, is another quite interesting aspect of the old city. These are complex issues, and only time can begin to resolve the answers. In many ways, these housing typologies offer a different social framework than available in modern housing, perhaps allowing for a transfer of architectural values from old to new. Although modern construction techniques no longer rely on solid stone walls, we can see that the cultural variables of a modern people can still be successfully integrated into this older fabric.