The eye of the beholder

This article falls into four broad sections.

1. A background to the physical, political, social and cultural attributes of Saudi Arabia.

2. Problems encountered by designers, such as communications, contractors, plant and construction materials, irrigation water.

3. An attempt to establish some design principles, particularly pertinent to working in an arid Islamic environment.

4. Concludes with some recent projects carried out in the Kingdom, which follow some of these principles.