Stone construction was historically common in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in: - Coastal areas, where limestone, locally known as al-Mangabi Stone in Jeddah , or 'corals,' was used. - Mountainous areas along the Sarawat Mountain range. As a building material, stone is classified into two types: - Rubble Stone ( Hajar al-Dabsh ): Uncut and unpolished. - Dressed stone: Manually shaped and smoothed with simple tools. ...
Al-Rawshan , plural 'al-Rawashin,' are traditional house windows or prominent wooden coverings for windows and external openings. They are one of the traditional building styles in Makkah al-Mukarramah , al-Madinah al-Munawwarah , Jeddah , and Yanbu cities. These wooden decorations are affixed to house windows to give them artistic shapes that allow sunlight and air to enter the home while blocking external views. Al-Rawashin share a general shape but differ in the details of their ...
Ad-Daraysh, windows, or casements, were the main source of light and ventilation for old houses in the traditional architecture of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia . Additionally, they made the interior empty spaces within these homes suitable for habitation. As a whole, ad-Daraysh form a visually aesthetic unit. Their unique arrangements on building facades follow a balanced geometric system with an aesthetic flair that adds a vibrant touch to the dull walls of mud houses while preserving privacy a...
Various forms of Aseer i houses have emerged due to differences in building materials, topography, climate, and social and economic factors. Generally, the Aseeri house is tower-shaped with walls that lean inward due to increased wall thicknesses. These houses serve multiple purposes, including residential use and defensive functions like fortresses. Some are designated for monitoring farms and storing agricultural crops, such as granaries. The owners are keen on making them strong and fortifie...
The traditional Hejazi house stands out with its multi-story design and compact size compared to the standard Gulf houses, typically featuring a single entrance. The men's section includes a Dihliz (entrance hall), Maq'ad (sitting area), Majlis (reception area), and Qa'a (large room), which is a classic element of homes in al-Madinah al-Munawwarah . These houses are rich in storage spaces and built-in wall cupboards, The rooms are elongated and interconnected. The internal walls ...
The diverse topography of the southern region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, ranging from mountain peaks and slopes to valleys and the Red Sea coast, has led to a variety of building materials and construction methods, leading to the development of multiple building styles. The availability of stone, clay, wood, and reeds has contributed to the evolution of five types of buildings: Mud houses in Najran Province . Stone houses built mainly without (mortar). Raqaf Houses in Abha City, Aseer Prov...
The climate plays a crucial role in the architecture of the central region, where human hamlets consist of agricultural oases located along valleys, such as Wadi Rumah in Qassim , Wadi Hanifah in Riyadh Province , and Wadi ad-Dawasir in the south. The use of mud for building and stone for foundations, mosque columns, and courtyard columns in homes is prevalent. The Najdi house is characterized by a courtyard, which is a fundamental element of the dwelling. The architectural style in the central...
The towns of Najd generally formed around and along Tuwaiq Mountain and its valleys and ravines, crafting their character from its stones and the silt of its valleys. The traditional Najdi house is characterized by its simplicity in composition and mass, with multiple elements surrounding the internal courtyard. It consists of one or two floors and typically has a single entrance that opens indirectly to the courtyard. The Najdi house includes a majlis (sitting room) located on the first floor,...
Bab Abu Khokha is one of the types of large and old doors that became famous in the Arabian Gulf countries. It is known for having a small door at the edge of the large door, used for entering and exiting without the need to open the entire door. The small door is called 'Khokha' in al-Ahsa Governorate, east of the Kingdom, and 'Farkha' in al-Qatif Governorate . The reason for its construction in this way is to preserve privacy and respect the private space of the household....
Stone Houses in Aseer are a form of construction that characterizes the urban identity of Aseer Province, southwest of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and one of the traditional patterns of urban heritage in the southern provinces. They consist of forts or castles built in ancient times for fortification during maneuvers and wars. The province includes about 4,275 heritage villages, throughout which stone houses are built. Most of these architectural styles in building stone houses were formed thr...
Al-Dukka and al-Kmar are two elements of the Mashab (fireplace) or coffee room, which represent a significant part of the Najdi house in Riyadh, the capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The construction pattern of both al-Dukka and al-Kmar is common in many provinces across the north, central, and south of the Kingdom. Al-Dukka and al-Kmar can be considered secondary elements that are associated with the construction or presence of the coffee room or Mashab. 1 2 3 Al-Dukka in the Najdi house...
The Liwan is one of the most important elements of the Najdi home in Riyadh, the capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is known in another context as the Salmani style. It is one of the architectural methods to combine modernity in construction and originality. In the liwan, local yet modern construction methods are used, giving buildings a diverse and contemporary heritage style. 1 2 3 Components of the liwan The liwan consists of a set of elements, including al-Asbab (or corridor or vest...