Mulhaq: On Annexed Architecture and Peripheral Typologies is a research-led exhibition by Amer Madhoun, Architect and Founder of Collectus. The exhibition examines the Mulhaq as a ubiquitous yet often overlooked feature of the Khaleeji domestic landscape, moving beyond its common translation as a simple annex to reveal a more complex intersection of cultural necessity, regulatory constraint and architectural adaptation.
Tracing the evolution of the Mulhaq from its historical roots in the traditional courtyard house to its standardised presence within the contemporary Emirati villa, the exhibition brings together floor plans, spatial analysis and linguistic inquiry. Through this multi-layered approach, the research uncovers the “DNA” of these additive structures, positioning the Mulhaq as a vital social tool that negotiates the threshold between formal regulation and the fluid realities of domestic life and local commerce.
By extending the definition of the Mulhaq beyond the residential plot, the exhibition proposes a broader reading of peripheral and secondary spaces as active agents in shaping the modern city. It invites audiences to reconsider the role of these marginal architectures, not as incidental additions, but as essential components of urban and social life.
Collectus is a design and research practice operating at the intersection of architecture, interiors and spatial anthropology. Alongside its investigative work, the practice designs residential, cultural and commercial spaces, grounding each project in a deep understanding of context, materiality and lived experience. Through fieldwork, drawing and archival methods, Collectus examines overlooked spatial typologies and translates these insights into built and experiential outcomes.
Founded and led by Amer Madhoun, an architect and interior designer, the practice reflects a dual commitment to design and research. Amer’s work navigates between built projects and critical inquiry, exploring how vernacular practices, regulatory frameworks and everyday adaptations inform contemporary spatial design.
Press release from Amer Madhoun
Image: Installation view of Amer Madhoun’s Mulhaq: On Annexed Architecture and Peripheral Typologies at Bayt Al Mazar, 2026. Photography by Aasiya Jagadeesh. Image courtesy of Collectus
