Climate and socioeconomic influence on house design. 1. with special reference to the hot-dry regions of Saudi Arabia and Sudan

Abstract

This study is an attempt to analyse the influence of the expansion of the national economy of the Gulf States on traditional house design. Some urban centers representing different climatic types from Saudi Arabia and Sudan shall be selected as case studies. The study shall be conducted in two stages, the first one which is presented in this paper shall deal with examples representing the hot-dry climate. The second stage will deal with examples representing the hot-humid climate and shall be presented in the second paper. The climate of the selected case studies shall be analysed and its influence on traditional house design shall be discussed. A brief socioeconomic analysis for Saudi Arabia and Sudan will be conducted in an attempt to point out its influence on modem house design.