All of the above features were common in Swahili architecture. Swahili architecture is characterized by minarets, which are tall, slender towers typically found near mosques and used for the Islamic call to prayer. Coral stone was the primary building material used in Swahili architecture, due to its abundance in coastal areas. Swahili houses often had multiple floors, with the upper floors used for living spaces and the ground floor used for storage or as a shelter during floods. Inner courtyards were also a common feature, providing open and private spaces for social gatherings and natural ventilation.
