Saudi Heritage and Conservation Quiz

Saudi Heritage and Conservation

• Geographical Effects: Saudi Arabia has a dry desert continental climate.
• Summer Temperatures: Summer temperatures reach 40 degrees Celsius.
• Dryness: Severe dryness and hot sandy winds are prevalent.
• Coastal Humidity: High relative humidity in eastern and western coastal areas.
• Winter Temperatures: Winter temperatures drop to near zero, with limited rain chances, except in the mountainous southwest region (Hijaz and Asir mountains). This region experiences mild summers and cold winters, with more rain.
• Heat and Sunlight: The lack of cloud cover and the sun's direct angle lead to intense thermal radiation from the ground.
• Urban Formation: Traditional Saudi cities and villages exhibit compact building layouts closely grouped along narrow, winding streets.
• Building Heights: Clear differences in building heights are evident in the traditional urban form.

Integrated Urban Formation

• Compactness and Grouping: The urban fabric showcases compact buildings clustered together, merging with narrow, winding roads creating a dense pattern.
• Building Arrangement: Buildings are often grouped together, with alleys and narrow spaces between them.
• Shadowing and Shading: Buildings are positioned to cast shadows on each other, reducing exposure to direct sunlight and providing shade.
• Courtyards: Courtyards are an important feature in the design, reducing thermal pressure on surrounding rooms and providing ventilation and natural lighting.

Windows and Openings

• Small or Large Apertures: The area covered by windows and openings can be small (in inner courtyard buildings) or large (multi-story buildings).
• Inner Courtyard Apertures: In inner courtyards, openings and windows are reduced to minimize heat transfer into the building.
• Natural Light and Ventilation: Natural light and ventilation are ensured by the configuration of windows and openings.

Walls and Ceilings

• Sunlight Exposure: Walls and ceilings are the main parts of the building exposed to sunlight and heat.
• Materials: Materials like burnt bricks, mud, and stones are chosen for walls due to their ability to absorb and retain heat.
• Protection: Materials used in the walls and ceilings help to repel some of the thermal energy from the interior and retain heat longer, mitigating temperature fluctuations.

Bleaching Materials

• Plaster: A common construction material prepared from lime.
• Al-Noura: A material similar to plaster, used for whitewashing surfaces, known for its sun reflecting qualities.
• Preparation: Preparing bleaching materials often involves burning limestone materials.

Humidity and Rain

• Saudi Climate: While drought is common, there are exceptions like increased humidity in coastal areas and occasional winter rains in certain regions.
• Winter Rains: The mountainous regions receive more significant amounts of rain.
• Effect of Humidity: Increased humidity in coastal areas and the use of lime plaster in these areas mitigate the effects of the harsh climate.

Wind

• Fabric integration: Urban fabric and narrow winding roads are designed to mitigate wind impacts.
• Facade orientation: Buildings are oriented toward prevailing winds to optimize ventilation and reduce the impact of dust.
• Ventilation design: Windcatchers and openings in the roofs are utilized to enhance airflow and reduce temperatures.