traditional water systems of saudi arabia: jeddah as an example

Traditional Water Systems of Saudi Arabia: Jeddah as an Example

Prof. Hisham MortadaDept. of ArchitectureKing Abdul Aziz Univeristy, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Latina, Italy18 June, 2016

Traditional Architecture of Saudi Arabia

• Eastern Province

Regions

• Read Sea Coast & Tihama Plain

• Najd

• South-western Heights & Najran

1. Najd

Dari’ah

Riyadh

Environmental Conditions

Temperature

Rainfall

Dari’ah

Integrated Compact Urban Form

Building Materials

Dari’ah

Dari’ah

Inwardness

courtyard

Dari’ah

Nasir Palace

QatifHafouf

2. Eastern Province (Hassa)

Eastern Province (Hassa)

Qatif

Qatif, 1955

Qatif

Urban Fabric

Hafouf

City Urban Form & Wall

Kut

3. South-Western Highlands & Najran

Albaha

Asir

Najran

Jazan

Al-Baha

Asir

Topography

Asir

Topography

Asir

Stone Buildings Mud Buildings

Asir

Stone village Mud village

Asir

Stone Buildings

Asir

Color for Distinction

Asir

Color for Distinction

Asir

Color for Distinction

Asir

Color for Distinction

Asir

Color for Distinction

Jazan

Osha buildings: Gizan city

Najran

Dwelling Height

Najran

4. Read Sea Coast & Tihama Plain

MedinaMecca

Al-’Ula

Taif

Inland Cities:

Mecca

Traditional Architecture of Mecca

Traditional Architecture of Mecca

Medina

Medina

Houses

Al-‘Ula

Urban Fabric

Al-‘Ula

Urban Fabric

4. Read Sea Coast & Tihama Plain

JeddahYanbu

DubaAl-Wajh

Umluj

• Costal Cities:

Yanbu

Building Materials: limestone, coral reef and wood

Umluj

Simple low rise buildings

Duba

Coral reef Dwellings

Al-Wajh

Façades and Materials

Jeddah

Jeddah: Architectural Diversity Throughout Time

In 1183, Ibn Jubair: Jeddah is a small fishermen village by the Red Sea. Most of its houses are huts of palm tree leafs.

In 1503 (Mamluki era), Ludovico di Varthema, described houses of Jeddah as beautiful.

Jeddah: Architectural Diversity Throughout Time

1940s, City Wall

Jeddah: Architectural Diversity Throughout Time

City Gates: Mecca Gate, 1930

Jeddah

Architectural Diversity Throughout Time

Urban Fabric

Jeddah

Urban Fabric

Jeddah

Dwellings

Jeddah

Coral Reefs

Jeddah

Woodwork: Rowshans & Mashrabias

Jeddah

Woodwork: Rowshans & Mashrabias

Jeddah

The Cube

Design Determination Factors

Openings for natural light and ventilation

Design Determination Factors

Orientation

Design Determination Factors

Blocking for privacy

Design Determination Factors

The Result: Climatic (ventilation + lighting) + Social (privacy) factors

Design Determination Factors

Spatial Distribution and Use

Spatial Distribution and Use

Space daily use pattern

Architectural Elements• Rowshan: It is a 60-90 cm projected wooden skeleton covered with decorative

wooden panels and screens. It covers the entire elevation of the upper floors.

Architectural Elements• Rowshan, Functions:

a. Maintenance of the privacy of indoor spaces

Water System: City Scale

Two Major Bazans/Water Springs

Water System: City Scale

Ein Yousor (Yousor Spring)

Water System: City Scale

Ein Yousor (Yousor Spring) (2009, HarvestingRainwater.com)

Water System: City Scale

Carrying Water from Bazan: Donky Method

Water System: City Scale

Carrying Water from Bazan: Donky Method

Carrying Water from Bazan: Donky Method

Water System: City Scale

Carrying Water from Bazan: Saqa Method

Water System: City Scale

Carrying Water from Bazan: Saqa Method

Water System: City Scale

Water System: City Scale

Carrying Water from Bazan: Saqa Method

Water Sources:Rain water from roofsSprings (2, north and south districts, Yosor Spring) directly to housesBazan (carried by water carriers Saga or donkeys)

Water System: Building Scale

Water System: Building Scale

Domestic Cistern

Water System: Building Scale

Wall Water Tanks

Water System: Building Scale

Zeer

Water System: Building Scale

Sherab

Thank you for listening!hmortada@kau.edu.sa