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The built form contains symbols ("architectural elements") that express embedded meanings about the place and about those to whom the symbols belong. The architectural elements presented in this paper provide evidence for how deeply felt socio-cultural principles were transmitted to tangible physical objects and how those physical objects then embe...
Contexts in source publication
Context 1
... Najdi settlements -Ad-Diriya, Sudus, Alkhabra, Ushaiqer, and old Riyadh -were chosen and the study focused on four architectural elements -Doorway, Tarma, Alfuraj, and Shuraf -found in these traditional Najdi settlements. The study measured these architectural elements to understand how principles such as socio-cultural factors, environmental settings, construction knowhow, religious convictions, etc., influenced them and how the elements served their urban and building functions (Figure 1). ...
Context 2
... wealthier the household, the greater the number of Shurfat elements found on the roof parapet and around the courtyard (Alrewaq). This is why the element can be repeated along a building's walls or only at the edges of a building's corners (Figure 9 (1 & 2)). However, both placements of Shurfat elements -both inside and outside the settlement -are similar, where the inside elements are physically more decorative and spaced out, while the outside elements are bulky and solid. ...
Context 3
... other elements discussed thus far, the location of the building is very important for how the Shurfat element was applied, where the building's location influenced the element's physical representation, exhibiting various patterns based on the building's location (Figure 10 surroundings and any element seen in a specific place was a reflection of their understanding of the cultural setting. This makes the process of making places to not distinguish one domain from another (macro/micro levels); rather, the making process controls the level of interaction and integration of different architectural components, thereby preserving the characteristics of the Najdi architectural identity 16 . ...
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Citations
... Reusing traditional Saudi architecture, particularly in the central region, has emerged as a key strategy for preserving cultural heritage. The traditional architecture of the Najd region [4,[45][46][47][48], which includes Ushaiger Village, is characterized by mud-brick buildings that are highly adapted to the desert climate [1,49]. These structures, however, became vulnerable to abandonment and collapse due to the country's rapid urbanization and the shift toward modern construction techniques [6,[50][51][52][53][54]. ...
As the Middle East experiences rapid growth due to its oil wealth, there is a pressing need to balance contemporary development with the preservation of its rich cultural heritage. This study focuses on Ushaiger Village in Saudi Arabia, an example of traditional Najid architecture that was once abandoned and has now been brought back to life through restoration. This research tracks the restoration steps, looks at how old buildings are being reused today, and assesses the effectiveness of these efforts through a survey of 80 local residents and tourists. The results show significant improvements in preserving the village, with over 100 buildings restored using traditional, environmentally friendly materials like mud and limestone. This restoration has won strong support from the community and has boosted the local economy by increasing tourism and supporting local businesses, aligning well with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals. This study illustrates that caring for heritage sites can promote economic and environmental health, providing a model for integrating cultural heritage into national development plans. Ushaiger Village’s story highlights the benefits of thoughtful conservation, showing that it can enhance community life and keep cultural identities alive within the Saudi Vision 2030.
... In addition, there are alfuraj, which are rectangular or triangular openings that provide ventilation and lighting. The tarma element is found near the doors and in the outer walls of buildings, and it allows one to see outside while maintaining privacy and not revealing those inside [77]. ...
... Some decorations stand out, while others are more subtle, creating a unique aesthetic harmony that is a feast for the eyes and a testament to thoughtful design. This space, with its incorporation of biophilic design elements, not only enhances the visual appeal of a building but also creates a welcoming and nurturing environment [66,77]. ...
Biophilia is a concept that suggests humans have an innate connection to nature. Biophilic design needs to be addressed under the umbrella of environmentally sustainable design, which is crucial in regard to the current urban development agenda. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as a Gulf country possessing valuable traditional architecture with rich local diversity, also needs to implement strategies for the establishment of sustainable development goals. The evaluation of biophilic design in the interior design environment through the values of traditional architecture can be a positive step towards reconnecting the built environment with nature. Within this scope, after a theoretical evaluation of biophilia, biophilic design (BD), and existing BD frameworks, in this study, we used the Biophilic Interior Design Matrix (BID-M) to assess biophilia in traditional Saudi architecture. Three heritage buildings in each of the four regions, amounting to twelve buildings in total, were rated for each of the BID-M matrix’s 54 listed features. According to the findings of a quantitative assessment based on the qualitative evaluation of biophilia in the chosen heritage buildings, these traditional buildings have a remarkably high score regarding biophilia. As such, there is a clear indication of the potential for aligning heritage building values with biophilic interior design features. This new approach, uniquely tailored to the rich and diverse cultural identity of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is crucial for incorporating sustainability into modern construction and has significant implications for the future of architecture in this region.
... These small openings do not have a purely decorative function but are arranged vertically, horizontally, or in stacks, creating a pattern on the facade with different dispositions and densities [25]. The different arrangements of the openings meet the different socio-cultural needs of the population while preserving the technical and environmental characteristics [26]. The alternation of irregular openings of different shapes and sizes infuses the building with rhythm, lightening its visual weight by breaking up the facade's composition and bringing out its expressive value. ...
... are arranged vertically, horizontally, or in stacks, creating a pattern on the facade with different dispositions and densities [25]. The different arrangements of the openings meet the different socio-cultural needs of the population while preserving the technical and environmental characteristics [26]. The alternation of irregular openings of different shapes and sizes infuses the building with rhythm, lightening its visual weight by breaking up the facade's composition and bringing out its expressive value. ...
The expressiveness of architectural language in terms of the formal and aesthetic approach is a feature that should not be secondary in contemporary buildings. The surface, texture, form, representation, and expression should prevail over aesthetic purposes in architecture. This research aims to highlight how the plastic and expressive value of the traditional buildings in the Najd region of Saudi Arabia, rich in cultural heritage and building form, can be translated into contemporary ones, creating the continuity of the local cultural identity in a rapidly growing context. This research used a qualitative methodology based on selecting seven modern and contemporary case studies in Riyadh. The selected case studies were analyzed using four criteria: composition aspects, plastic figuration, expressive value, and context connection. The comparison of the case studies underlined the plasticity and malleability of the wall surfaces, the formal character, and the aesthetic approach, showing continuity with the cultural heritage of the Najd architecture. These examples demonstrate how architecture that is attentive to place and history, incorporating local materials and its cultural heritage, can represent an opportunity to rethink the constructive and aesthetic approach to provide guiding criteria for contemporary architects designing in the rapidly expanding city.
... They stand out more, are close to public areas, and are separated from more intimate spaces. People can find their way from the area's deep, private masses to its public spaces with the aid of landmark buildings (Alnaim, 2021). This pattern of behavior is especially evident in mosques, where minarets serve as both a symbol of public space and a means of orientation in dense urban environments. ...
... They stand out more, are close to public areas, and are separated from more intimate spaces. People can find their way from the area's deep, private masses to its public spaces with the aid of landmark buildings (Alnaim, 2021). This pattern of behavior is especially evident in mosques, where minarets serve as both a symbol of public space and a means of orientation in dense urban environments. ...
Mosques are among the most advanced forms of religious architecture. With the Muslim community’s rapid expansion through modernity along with clearly defined Islamic life needs activities, setting aside an enclosed area in small settlements or large towns became necessary for established communal worship. The purpose of this study is to analyze and develop the structure, structural decoration, and material and design choices made by mosques during the traditional period of Najd, Saudi Arabia’s central region. While mosque architecture during the traditional Najdi Muslim period demonstrates its religious identity, as is frequently noted, secular architecture’s ideas are not spiritually motivated in a cosmic sense. Indeed, the architectural concept and material selection and the functional and aesthetic uses of an object all contribute to determining what it expresses. A process that incorporates standard materials, skilled labor, innovative ideas, and socioeconomic and geographical factors may be used to construct any magnificent architecture. Thus, this study provides an overview of the historical architecture of the current syntax of “Najd Mosques Architecture” to facilitate knowledge and comprehension when designing contemporary mosques that incorporate elements of history, culture, religion, the environment, and sustainability.
... Religious values have influenced the formation of the social and cultural values of society. Alnaim argues that the social and cultural values observed in Najdia villages reflect established religious beliefs in addition to the fact that the residents created those spaces based on their needs while preserving shared and agreed-upon social and cultural meanings [10]. Many studies have also agreed that privacy is one of the most important principles that heritage houses have sought to achieve. ...
... Religious values have influenced the formation of the social and cultural values of society. Alnaim argues that the social and cultural values observed in Najdia villages reflect established religious beliefs in addition to the fact that the residents created those spaces based on their needs while preserving shared and agreed-upon social and cultural meanings [10]. Many studies have also agreed that privacy is one of the most important principles that heritage houses have sought to achieve. ...
Urban heritage is preserved through generational transmission, which involves the imitation of heritage-related vocabulary. It requires an in-depth understanding and cognition of the values and meanings of that heritage followed by monitoring and documentation to provide a benefit proportional to the present day. The physical expansion and geographical diversity of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has resulted in it being characterized by its urban wealth. Therefore, this systematic review aims to define the architectural values behind the formation of heritage houses in the KSA and to identify the similarities and differences in their application. The importance of this study lies in strengthening Saudi Arabian identity and preserving the country's cultural heritage by highlighting and promoting the values of architectural heritage to ensure their sustainability in modern architecture. The systematic review focused on 11 studies that pointed to the similarity of the values of architectural heritage in all regions of the KSA and the differing methods of applying those values. The results also highlight a lack of relevant research in the eastern and southern regions of the KSA over the past ten years.
... Gong and Xin [8] conducted special investigation and research on rural settlements and bazaars. Alnaim [9] divided the architectural form of traditional dwellings from three aspects: climate, terrain, and materials. Bi et al. [10] used the "comprehensive analysis method of historical people's region" to study the residential settlements in southern China from various angles and comprehensively, taking the regional life circle as the basic research unit, and analyzed and discussed the architectural patterns and evolution of different regions, enriching the research content of residential settlements. ...
Traditional settlements are widely concerned by academic circles for their unique settlement patterns, exquisite residential buildings, and rich historical and cultural connotations, and their protection and development is an important proposition for rural revitalization. Therefore, from the perspective of big data mining (BDM), this paper explores its application in architectural space and settlement protection of traditional settlements in Hainan and provides new ideas for the protection and renewal of traditional settlements in Hainan. The attribute elements of spatial data of settlement groups are analyzed by the decision tree classification mining method. In order to avoid the multivalued tendency of ID3 algorithm and improve the efficiency of decision tree generation by ID3 algorithm, an improved ID3 algorithm is proposed by introducing user interest and simplifying the calculation process of the algorithm. At the same time, the graph theory recognition method of grid pattern is proposed. Aiming at the intersection graph and direction relation graph of straight line pattern, grid pattern recognition is realized by solving the connectivity, intersection, and subsequent construction of the maximum complete subgraph. Experiments show that the improved ID3 algorithm has better running efficiency than the parallel algorithm based on cooccurrence matrix. The analysis of the architectural space of traditional settlements in Hainan will help us better grasp social activities and provide direction for the protection and renewal of traditional settlements from the perspective of tourists and residents.
