Coral Reef Architecture of the Red Sea: Yanbu, Umluj, Al-Wajh, and Duba, Saudi Arabia

ISBN: 979-8-234-04797-7
By: Mortada, Hisham

ABOUT THE BOOK

Living within Living: Along the shores of the Red Sea, the coastal towns of Yanbu, Umluj, Al-Wajh, and Duba reveal a distinctive architectural and urban heritage shaped by environmental, historical, and cultural conditions. This book explores these settlements, where houses constructed from coral stone, formed by once-living reef organisms, along with shaded streets and intricately carved wooden façade elements, embody a deep understanding of environmental adaptation and social life. Beyond documentation, the book offers a timely reflection on the relevance of this heritage today. As coastal development accelerates, it calls for a more thoughtful approach, one that draws from the lessons of these towns to inform sustainable and context-sensitive design for the future. Richly illustrated and grounded in field research, this book is an essential resource for architects, planners, scholars, and all those interested in the enduring legacy of Red Sea architecture and urbanism.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Hisham Mortada

Hisham Mortada is an educator and critic in the field of architecture and urban planning. He is an architectural professor at King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. With over 35 years of experience in architectural, research, and heritage documentation, he has published extensively on the traditional built environment of Saudi Arabia. He has received awards from several organizations, including the National Heritage Award from the Saudi Ministry of Culture. His work has guided national heritage projects and contributed to major initiatives under Saudi Vision 2030.