This is a research on sustainability of the stone architectural and urban heritage of Asir, Saudi Arabia, presented at conference in Tucson, US, by Prof. Hisham Mortada.

1. Traditional, Beautiful, and Sustainable:
The Stone Houses of Asir, Saudi Arabia
Prof. Hisham Mortada
Dept of Architecture
College of Environmental Design
King Abdul Aziz University
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
hmortada@kau.edu.sa

2. Geography
Asir
Asir

3. • The rainiest region. Cold winter, cool summer
• Mountainous topography
!
Climate & TopographyAsir

4. Climate & TopographyAsir
High, steep mountains, the highest peaks are 3000 meters

5. Asir: Traditional Architecture
! !
• Compact buildings/towers of several floors
Form

6. Asir: Traditional Architecture
Construction Materials and Techniques
- Strong stones of irregular shapes
selected from the surrounding mountains
or the site, and placed so that they fit
closely together without slipping.
- They are laid in rows or courses (dry
stacking) and fixed in place with little
amount of clay when needed.
- Inside, the walls are covered with a
mixture of mud, gadhad (grinded white
stones collected from mountains) and
animal dung.

7. Asir Traditional Architecture
Sustainability

8. For remaining
slides or more info
pls contact the
author.
hmortada@kau.edu.sa