The provision of school buildings in Saudi Arabia with particular reference to Jeddah

• Main Author: Khafaji, Osman Mohammed Ali O.
• Published: University of Sheffield 1987
• Subjects: 720; Architecture
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.317861

This thesis studies the provision of school buildings in Saudi Arabia with particular reference to the city of Jeddah. It attempts to provide general design guidance and criteria, which incorporate suitable educational, environmental, social, religious and economic factors in the country. Early investigation of population statistics and the result of the survey held in the city of Jeddah indicated that: intermediate schools should be given priority in this study. The second point was that most of the existing schools which are provided by the authorities are educationally, environmentally and economically inadequate. The study emphasizes and interlinks three major subject areas: education, environment and architectural design. Reference is made to the development of education and consequent Implications for school buildings in developed countries. An attempt is made to define environmental requirements for hot arid regions such as Saudi Arabia. Traditional Islamic architecture and school building (Madares) is examined. The outcome of this study indicated that: two major issues should be considered in the formation of the final brief. First, the relationship of the existing educational situation and its future. The western educational model is the origin, yet Islamic education can not be disregarded and any development in the existing system will Initially be religiously oriented. The architectural response should on the one hand be localized and related to the traditional Islamic values. On the other hand, it should be modern and up to date with future needs borne in mind. The second major decision is that, for many reasons, internal environment should be of a high standard. This should be generated by a natural process of ventilation and lighting. For educational demands layouts have been suggested and developed to meet existing and future needs with a minimum of physical alterations. These layouts respond to environment by blending traditional elements in such a way as to provide crossventilation by the controlled movement of cool air. This is assisted by an original use of the stack-effect in building in a way which reflects traditional architecture, yet provides modern standards of light and thermal control.