Long before the modern city of Dubai was founded and developed into what it is today, Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum designed a summer retreat near Jumeirah Beach that today is called the Umm Al Sheif Chamber Majlis. Built in 1955 on the site of a former palm plantation near a fishing village, this two-storey house is made of gypsum and coral in a traditional style. The structure was planned to incorporate natural ventilation to catch the summer breeze The roof terrace was first used for drying dates and outdoor sleeping The open rooms and spacious balconies were restored in 1994 and decorated with carpets, pillows and lanterns Its interior now shows what the leisure life of one of the ruling families was like in Dubai.