Riyadh: His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, has officially launched the Saudi Architecture Characters Map, featuring 19 distinct architectural styles inspired by Saudi Arabia's geographical and cultural characteristics.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the launch underscores Saudi Arabia's commitment to celebrating its architectural heritage, enhancing the quality of life, and modernizing the urban landscape in Saudi cities as part of Vision 2030. As Chairman of the Supreme Committee for Saudi Architectural Design Guidelines, HRH the Crown Prince emphasized that Saudi Architecture reflects the cultural and geographical diversity of the Kingdom. He further highlighted the importance of sustainable urban planning that harmonizes with the local environment while integrating traditional architectural elements into modern designs.
Saudi Architecture aims to enrich the urban architectural diversity of the Kingdom, elevate urban landscapes in cities, and empower local talent. By 2030, it is expected to contribute over SAR8 billion to the Kingdom's cumulative GDP and create over 34,000 direct and indirect job opportunities across the engineering, construction, and urban development sectors.
Designed with flexibility in mind, Saudi Architecture provides developers with guidelines that allow for modern building materials without imposing additional financial burdens. Each of the 19 architectural styles offers three design typographies: traditional, transitional, and contemporary, encouraging creative expression while preserving the authenticity of local architecture.
The Saudi Architecture Characters Map highlights 19 architectural styles inspired by geographical, natural, and cultural characteristics, derived from urban and historical studies of building traditions passed down through generations. These styles include Central Najdi, Northern Najdi, Tabuk Coast, Madinah Rural, Inner Madinah, Hejazi Coast, Taif Highlands, Sarawat Mountains, Aseer Escarpment, Tuhama Foothills, Tuhama Coast, Farasan Islands, Abha Highlands, Bisha Desert, Najran, Al Ahsa Oasis, Al Qatif Oasis, East Coast, and Eastern Najdi.