An exploration of the residents' modifications: Private-sector low-rise contemporary housing in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Volumes I and II).

Abstract

In the mid-1950's, a new model of housing was introduced to Saudi Arabia. This model did not develop naturally from traditional housing or evolve according to the society's needs, rather, was developed for other countries and was grounded in concepts foreign to Saudi culture. The new dwellings have failed to meet the residents' needs and many residents have modified their dwellings to increase their level of satisfaction. This study explores the modifications phenomenon in the contemporary dwellings in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, discusses why they were made and uses them as a means to identify and understand the residents' needs. The qualitative (human science) approach was used as the primary method for this study. In-depth interviews with a number of residents and personal observation of their dwellings were used to gather the data required to understand the motive behind the modifications. The investigation procedure also collected data on the "modification" phenomenon from a broad perspective, including a questionnaire survey and an inquiry in the municipality's records, policies and procedures. This study provides an understanding of the history of housing development in the city of Riyadh, the process and procedure by which the residents obtained their designs, acquired their building permits, and built their villa-type dwellings, and, most importantly, the reasons and motives behind their modifications. It documents and interprets the residents' experiences with their dwellings before and after their modifications. There are different motives for the residents' modifications i.e., socio-cultural, economical, functional, climatic and aesthetic. Apart from providing a monograph on the modifications phenomenon, this study also sheds some light on the problems associated with adopting a foreign model of housing. This study should provide all parties involved in housing design and policy making in Saudi Arabia greater insight and a broader understanding of the modifications phenomenon so they can make changes which will provide more suitable housing.