Passing through places like downtown Riyadh or visiting historical sites such as Diriyah, one cannot help but be impressed by the culture that is so vivid there. The restoration of the many palaces, fortresses and mosques gives us a sense of what civilization was like in the times of our ancestors. These unforgettable pieces of architecture display clear reminders of their true historical roots.
Mud buildings have been in Saudi Arabia since pre-Islamic times. However, modern day buildings have taken over much of the city resulting in the destruction of many of these old structures. There is a growing trend to revive this architecture and bring it back into our daily lives. I had the opportunity to speak with the owners of Village Heritage, a family business working to restore old structures so that their features will not be lost in today’s architectural mishmash.
Village Heritage General Manager Sameer Al-Yahya said, “Looking at old buildings and clay with its natural color gives one a feeling of comfort. They are characterized by simplicity, spontaneity. They are also inexpensive to build and maintain.”
“It is unfortunate,” added Abdul Aziz Al-Yahya, owner of Village Heritage, “that there is such a decline in old architecture. However, we are well prepared to bring this type of architecture back to life.”
Many Saudis are uninterested in the present marble and painted cemented buildings. People are noticing the decline of these old style mud constructions and many long to bring their culture and heritage into their lives.”
Sameer says the rise in people’s interest in their past is an excellent example for future generations. It shows intellectual awareness, because reviewing the past strengthens the base for advancement into the future.
“Culture in Saudi Arabia springs from Islam. Each and every nation has its culture, its own heritage, and it is of great importance to reflect on the past to build the future,” says Sameer.
There are big differences in the buildings of today versus those of the past. Mud buildings are insulated to fit the climate in the area. They stay cool in the daytime and warm at night as the temperature drops. In most of today’s cement structures, one could not live without air-conditioning in the summer heat.
Sameer explains the two types of insulation used in these constructions. “Thermal insulation, which is clay applied in stages and layers. Water insulation, however, comprises two types. In one, insulation rolls are applied on top of the ceiling and covered with fine cement. Then, a layer of gravel and cement is layered according to the slope of the roof and its drainage. The second type is water insulation giving protection from water and rain. It is a substance composed mainly of clay and wool.”
Village Heritage has experience in making insulation material with clay that protects the building against rain and tolerates climatic variations. “This material has been very successful at Al-Owaidah Rest House,” says Sameer. “Despite the size of the rest house, it has not required any maintenance since it was constructed six years ago.”
The owners of Village Heritage have dedicated their time and effort to the revival and return of old style architecture. The most important of all is to have Saudis train their workers on the job and on site to guarantee quality. “We have more than 200 foremen and workers of different nationalities who have been trained by engineers of Saudi, Yemen, Egyptian and Pakistani nationality, in addition to Egyptian and Pakistani carpenters.”
Village Heritage is present in and outside Riyadh. It has provided buildings in the Hail style for the Janadriyah Festivals. “It was natural to send an engineer and a technician to Hail to learn on the spot. This project was executed within a very short time,” says Sameer.
“Maintenance of these buildings is very simple and not very time-consuming,” Abdul Aziz said in speaking of the work involved in maintaining these structures.
“Installation of the natural stones is fixed around the building from the outside. This is done to protect the clay wall against water. The roof is inclined to assist water drainage and to prevent rainwater from accumulating. In the case of wall cracking, a mixture of clay and straw is used both to close the cracks and cover it with insulation. When the color changes after a long period of time due to fire and smoke, a mixture of paints is applied.”
I asked them about their future plans. “One of our plans is to expand our branches around Riyadh,” said Abdul Aziz. “We feel that the demand for this style of architecture will be more and we will need to expand our branches to meet with the growing demand for these buildings.”
So what singles out Village Heritage from all the rest? Abdul Aziz and Sameer both agreed and responded almost simultaneously, “It is our name: Al-Yahya. When it comes from Al-Yahya you are assured of getting only the best quality.”