The evolution of the domestic architecture in Qatar Sub title: Exploring a design process toward a more socio-cultural appropriate houses

Abstract

Qatar is a peninsula situated in the heart of the Arabian Gulf. Geographically the landscape is a flat desert with the highest point being the sand dunes. Throughout the year the climate is mostly hot and dry with little rainfall.. The economy of Qatar was based on pearl diving, fishing, and small animals-related trades until the end of the 1950’s. At this period the oil was discovered , and it was exported and this resulted in huge revenues for Qatar. Those revenues led to the boom in Qatar’s economy. Along with these increases in revenues came great plans. The government and its people strived to change for a better life. Those financial development plans targeted every field and aspect of life ; including the infrastructure. The shift in Qatar’s infrastructure wasn’t as drastic as the economy. People moved from living in the open traditional courtyard houses into living in air-conditioned- concrete villas similar to the western architecture model of homes. This change happened too fast to be molded In parallel to Qataris traditions and needs this change happened almost overnight and it was a little difficult to fit into the Qatari traditional lifestyle. This research will start with an understanding about the History of the traditional Qatari domestic architecture through an academic text along with an interview leading to a comparative study of the traditional courtyard houses and the modern villas. Then finally a proposing design of recommendation aims to enhance the cohesiveness between the design of the current villas and the socio-cultural needs of the Qatari society. _x000D_ _x000D_ Key words: Socio-cultural, westernization, domestic architecture, Qatar.

Date of Award	2018
Original language	American English
Awarding Institution	HBKU College of Islamic Studies