Riyadh, Abdulrahman Al-Sudairy Cultural Center, in Al-Ghat Governorate, has won the King Salman Charter for Architecture and Urbanism Award for its Dar Al-Rahmaniah.
The award, in its first edition, was granted to the center in the category of projects built applying the charter’s standards and values.
Director General of the Center Sultan Al-Sudairy stressed that the essence of the charter aims to instill the Kingdom’s authentic cultural heritage in buildings and establish a style that combines tradition and modernity.
He highlighted the efforts of the Architecture and Design Commission, and its focus on this urban heritage, and said that the design of Dar Al-Rahmaniah took into account the local heritage and the rural environment, set amidst palm trees, which stamped it with the Najdi style of mud buildings, arches, and the mosque with an open prayer area facing the courtyard.
He noted that the building’s design blends heritage with innovation to create an inspiring environment that strengthens the comm
unity’s social and cultural ties while preserving the identity and spirit of the place, with the aim of improving the quality of life of the residents; that is reflected in the design of Dar Al-Rahmaniah, a vibrant cultural and social center that fosters interaction to meet the needs and aspirations of the local community.
Al-Sudairy also pointed out that one of the most notable features of the Dar Al-Rahmaniah building is the use of natural materials for its construction, most of which are from the surrounding environment. This entailed using straw and clay blocks in the construction of walls and ventilation towers, palm fronds and wood for the ceilings, and Al-Ghat stone for the flooring of the building, while a tent was used as the roof of the lecture hall.
According to Al-Sudairy, this architectural approach enhanced the building’s thermal insulation and reliance on natural cooling towers reduced the cost of electrical energy used for cooling. This also reinforced the building’s authenticity and heritag
e.
Source: Saudi Press Agency