Al-Ghat, Saudi Arabia
The commission was to design a public library (760 sm), small prayer area (116 sm), and gate–keepers house (116 sm) with straw bale walls.
Later the scope was expanded to include building with as many natural and local materials as possible.
From a deserted 150 year old mud block and mud plaster town we studied traditional construction techniques and styles that we used in the new buildings.
Our local material pallet consisted of straw bales, cut field stone, sun dried mud blocks, palm frond roof membrane and mud plaster roofing.
Wood beams and joists were imported from Sweden and Russia.
