Nach ähnlichen Inhalten stöbern

The Desert Ark

Sultan Rashid

Titel

The Desert Ark

Autor/in

Datierung

10.01.2025

Beschreibung

The author, raised in the Arabian Peninsula, shares a personal connection to the Arabian context that
serves as the foundation for this research. Interpreting the theme of the ark within this context offers
an opportunity to explore urbanisation as a crisis impacting the local population since the emergence
of the Gulf states.
The thesis is structured into two fundamental parts. The initial part contextualises Saudi Arabia
through historical and descriptive analyses. This section examines the recent Saudi reform policies
expected to shape the traditionally conservative society in the coming years. While these reforms
impact the general Saudi population, this study demonstrates the existential effects they have on the
now marginalised Bedouin community in the Kingdom, specifically the Howeitat tribal community
native to the north-western region. The analysis reveals the adverse effects urbanistic policies have on
the Howeitat community, affecting their lifestyle and leading to historical erasure.
The research examines the transitions and lifestyles of the tribe over the years, highlighting an ongoing
displacement caused by Saudi Arabia's new megaproject—Neom. These studies lead to the core part of the
thesis; proposing an architecture that facilitates the tribe's resettlement in a sustainable habitat shaped by
traditional building techniques. By analysing socio-economic factors and incorporating related case studies,
this proposal advocates for an ark model that embodies sustainable living practices. The design embraces an
inclusive community model manifested through incremental housing development strategies. Ultimately, this
project aims to tackle the pressing issues of urbanisation and displacement by presenting a dignified and
adaptive living environment that respects and promotes the cultural continuity of the Howeitat tribe.

Urheberrechtshinweis