GHASSAN ALSERAYHI
 MSc. Arch, M. Arch, B. Arch, Assoc. SCE

ARCHITECT + EDUCATOR + RESEARCHER
‘ALSADDAH’
RSAFD BATTLION 160 HOUSING


SUBJECT: PROFESSIONAL
TYPE: HOUSING
EMPLOYER: ROYAL SAUDI AIR DEFENSE FORCES
DATE: 2017
“Alsaddah” is an old Arabic architectural term used to refer to an opening in a wall that is located at the entrance of the house. Without this element, obviously, no one can navi­gate between spaces or even access the house. This meaning sparks questions like whether it is possible to explore and perceive any architectural space with­out these joints that act as tingible but also sensorial and experiential thresholds. Can users identify and realize places without the feeling of space hierarchy?

These questions and more have led me to think of Al­saddah as an empowering and transformative tool. Perhaps beyond that: a state of realization for the transitional stage in un­derstanding the surroundings. These notions of empowering and re­alization together quite reflect on the reality of housing issues in Saudi Arabia associated with Saudis’ understanding of housing. Alsaddah symbolically lingually, and practically represents the empowerment and an appropriate understanding for Saudi fami­lies to access affordable housing. The possibility for change situations simply applies to the Saudi people who would be able to change their situation the moment they access this project. Therefore, I employed “Alsaddah” concept implicitly and tangibly in this project. 





DESIGN CONCEPT

The concept aims to develop a flexible housing system to empower middle-class and low-income families to build a smart community that focuses on the notion of sharing and collaboration instead of the current housing system that cause an isolated fragile neighbor­hood. The housing formula proposed a method that states on allow­ing citizens to own a cold-frame steel structure provided by the government in which each family builds it based on their needs: 

one unit, two units, or three units. This structure not only allows house owners to extend their housing units, but it also reduces the construction cost by almost double compared to the traditional method. It also prevents them from waiting for government subsi­dies for a long time. Instead of forcing families to pay for owning houses that exceed their needs, this system helps them building gradually as their family and economy grow.




LAND CATEGORIES AND FACADE DEVELOPMENT                                                                    EXPLODED ISOMETRIC OF THE HOUSING UNIT