A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF LOW-RISE DWELLING DESIGNS IN RIYADH: PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SOCIO-CULTURAL PERSPECTIVES

Low-rise dwellings in Riyadh have experienced significant transformations, leading to the emergence of new residential forms that differ from the traditional ones. This study aims to highlight differences in low-rise dwellings designed in the traditional, transitional, and contemporary phases in Riyadh, and to examine whether these houses meet the psychological and socio-cultural needs of their users. A qualitative and quantitative approach was employed through a semi-structured interview with Professor Saleh Al-Hathloul, an expert in architecture and urban planning, and a questionnaire administered to residents of the three dwelling types to explore their experiences with the effectiveness of these houses in meeting their needs. The results revealed that traditional houses succeeded in reflecting the psychological and socio-cultural aspects. The transitional houses reflected an intermediate phase that supported family cohesion and gender segregation but failed to embody privacy, community relations, security, and local identity. Conversely, contemporary houses showed an apparent weakness in achieving the psychological and socio-cultural aspects due to the absence of traditional design elements, the influence of modernity, and regulations that shape them.