المملكة: On International Design Day, how did the environment draw the architectural style in the Kingdom?

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has its ancient architectural art, which decorates each region of the Kingdom and diversifies architecture and is distinguished from a region to a region in terms of urban heritage.
We find this in the ancient buildings that represent the urban civilization in the Kingdom, such as the buildings of the city of Diriyah, the palaces and the ancient castles in Al -Ahsa Governorate, the historical Jeddah, the village of Al -Ula, and other buildings that are still present with its tall characters that challenge time and dazzle the viewers with the splendor of its design.

The credit for their survival to this day is due to the quality of the materials used in the past, and these buildings receive adequate care and continuous restoration by the bodies concerned with this matter, in order to avoid any danger that threatens their demise.
In January 2025, the Heritage Authority announced the registration of 3202 new sites within the National Register of Urban Heritage, bringing the outcome of the recorded sites to 28.202 sites that reflect in its entirety the richness of the Saudi heritage, as part of its efforts towards documenting and protecting heritage sites.
The newly recorded heritage sites included: Riyadh region 16 sites, the Makkah Al -Mukarramah region 8 sites, the Qassim region one site, the eastern region are two locations, while 3170 sites were registered in the Asir region, two sites in the Hail region, one site in the Najran region, and two locations in the Al -Baha region.
On the day of international design, we review the most prominent urban context in the regions of the Kingdom:

The architectural style of Qatif

The architectural style of Qatif stems from an oasis on the eastern coast of the Arabian Gulf, where urban communities and local Amara monuments were formed as a result of the abundance of groundwater, fertile lands and natural resources.
Local -Amara buildings have their ability to adapt to a hot and humid climate by using local materials such as salt rocks, clay, and palm wood.
Buildings are characterized by decorative interfaces, semi -circular arches and pointed other. The buildings also include distinctive features such as the high roof jacket to provide shades, slim and high -ventilation windows, and “Drush” openings to control the entry of light, and there are double -headed head windows together, or simple rectangular windows to enhance the aesthetic and functional aspects alike.
The wooden doors and plaster decorations also add to the columns and arches a unique aesthetic.

The urban nature of Al -Ahsa Oasis

The urban character of Al -Ahsa oases is a unique mixture of natural and historical influences, as it is located on the southern coast of the Arabian Gulf in the eastern region.
Al -Ahsa is the largest oasis in the world, and it is one of the Saudi cities that have been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, and is famous for its natural scenery full of palm trees, deep springs, and fertile agricultural lands.
Al -Ahsa occupies a historical position from a commercial point of view, and this in turn led to a rich exchange of cultures over the centuries, which resulted in a distinctive architectural heritage that is manifested in landmarks such as the Caesarean market, which stands as a witness to the historical and vital cultural continuity of the region.

Local materials

The buildings in the Al -Ahsa Oasis depend on local materials such as clay, palm trunks, and oxide, where they are chosen for their durability and their ability to withstand climate fluctuations. Traditional buildings are partially shaded to improve ventilation and reduce sunlight.
Various arches – such as a lotus -like arc and multi -headed arches – are used to add aesthetic and functional value.
The buildings also feature a high “Derwa” surface jacket with crowns -like decorations, broad air flows, vegetable motifs, arcs and decorative and complex plasterboard.
This combination provides traditional materials and innovative design solutions in a unique architectural style that can be interpreted within the framework of modern designs.

Terrain in Taif

Taif is characterized by a variety of terrain, and this is due to its distinguished location on the Hijaz Mountains, and it is one of the oldest cities in the Arabian Peninsula, whose origins date back to the pre -Islam period.
The city is located on a plateau surrounded by mountains, which earned it a moderate climate on most days of the year, with an increase in rainfall rates.
Therefore, these climatic conditions have contributed to making the city a unique area of ​​natural and stunning terrain.
Mountains and slopes are natural borders for the city, as they include a group of distinct and intertwined neighborhoods with the main roads and high areas.
The urban range of the city of Taif was limited to the historical town of 1947 until the development and growth of the main road network axes.
Traditional Amara in Taif was affected by locally available materials such as basalt stone, granite and wood, and traditional houses and palaces are characterized by the magnitude of the lineage, taking into account the central symmetry.

Abha highlands

The architectural Trazi of the Abha Highlands is embodied in its ability to adapt to the unique climate and the various terrain of the Al -Swatta Mountains in the Asir region.
Buildings are distinguished by the use of local materials such as stone and clay brick, and they are designed to resist heavy rains and low temperatures.
Buildings are characterized by compact masses with geometric shapes, flat ceilings, and thin and high windows that contribute to moisture control and temperatures. The buildings are characterized by a base of local stone protection from rain, while the upper facades of clay are built to improve thermal efficiency.
It is evident on the three -bit of the base division, the middle, and the top, where the surface jacket is applied in white with other colors to highlight the important entrances and openings.
The model is also characterized by the use of traditional artistic patterns such as the “Asiri Cat” to add a decorative dimension, and all these elements aim to create a homogeneous architectural and urban style with the surrounding environment.

Najd architecture forms

The Najdah Amara originates to the heart of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where its features are formed from the terrain of the plateaus, rich valleys, and diverse local plants.
Geographical features such as the Najd Plateau, the desert of the Dahna, and the Tuwaiq Mountain contribute to the formation of an integrated urban environment, while valleys such as Wadi Hanifa and Wadi Al -Ramah support agricultural and urban gatherings.
This model adapts to the different climate between hot and cold summer, which enhances the sustainability of buildings.
Traditional housing is built from the sun -dried clay, with a serrated “Derwa” surface plated white plaster to protect clay walls.
Small engineering holes contribute to providing ventilation and lighting, while reflecting decorative elements such as the sarmah, barriers and triangles belts a mixture of aesthetic and function, while the wooden doors decorated with inscriptions are adding a distinctive architectural style that reflects the inherent in the region.

Northern Najdah Amara

The northern Najdiya Amara is concentrated in the far north of the Kingdom, where the terrain of the Najd plateau and the desert of the Nafud prevails, and mixing between sand dunes, rock formations, and fertile oases.
Urban communities were raised near water sources, and developed according to environmental and climatic needs, with planning that reflects harmony between buildings and public spaces.
The oases and green spaces also contributed to enhancing agricultural activity and reducing the impact of sandstorms coming from the Nafud.
This model is characterized by the use of thick clay walls to adjust temperatures, with a listed “Darwah” surface jacket, and small holes enhance ventilation and privacy.
The triangular belts and engineering openings are highlighted as decorative and functional elements, while internal techniques provide a living environment for the desert climate, and the integration of stone and wooden elements in the facades, which reflects a harmonious architectural style that can be developed in modern ways.

The coastal Hijazi Amara

The coastal Hijazi Amara extends along the Red Sea, influenced by the coastal nature, cultural interaction, and geographical diversity.
The city of Jeddah is the largest city in this region, as it played a major role as a commercial port and a major station for exchanging knowledge and experiences, which was reflected in its distinctive urban patterns.
Urban communities are affected by natural bays and beaches, which made them adapt to environmental conditions through the use of local materials such as coral stone and wood, with white plaster coating to protect from corrosion.
The role of the coastal climate is highlighted in the formation of designs, as the prominent Rochin and balconies contribute to enhancing natural ventilation, while the decorative windows are given with small openings between privacy and aesthetic function.
The model is characterized by a clear division in the facades with complex geometric decorative elements, which gives a rich visual character that reflects the spirit of the place.

King Salman Al -Amrani Charter Award

In this context, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz – may God preserve him – established a vision in architectural design during the period of the Emirate of the Riyadh region for more than five decades, during which he led the development of wonderful architectural works that reflect its distinguished character in the quality of design.
The charter was concerned with creating a joint awareness of the concepts of urban quality in the Kingdom, putting the outlines in front of those involved in design, planning and construction
The award aims to celebrate the urban environment projects that adopted the standards of the charter and showed excellence in their implementation, motivating practitioners and specialists to adopt the concept and standards of the charter within its urban outputs, and work to create a competitive environment resulting in high quality outputs.