Introduction
The Department of Architecture and Building Sciences was established within the College of Engineering at King Saud University in the year 1387(H) (1967). It was the first architecture department in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Arabian Gulf Area. With the establishment of the College of Architecture and Planning in the year 1984, the Department expanded to include building sciences and technology, and was more able to deal with the needs of the job market. The Department offers a Bachelor’s Degree, a Master’s Degree and a Ph. D. Degree in Architecture and Building Sciences.
In the Department there are over 45 faculty members (Professors, Associate Professors and Assistant Professors) who are holders of PhD degrees in architecture from prestigious universities. They all participated in securing several research projects and grants to the Department in particular, and to the College in general. In addition, a number of them were delegated to governmental and private institutions to assist in the development of the Nation and Society.
Vision of the Department
The Department of Architecture and Building Science should be the reference for implementation of contemporary methods of architectural education, professional practice and research for community service. As a pioneer of architectural education in the Kingdom and the region, the Department of Architecture and Building Science adopts an educational strategy based on the following:
· Keeping abreast advances in the age of information and knowledge. This is achieved through introduction and use of computer technology in the educational process, and training students and staff to use such technology.
· Keep abreast of advances in the field of building technology. This is made through the maintaining the relation between academic qualification of the graduate and the advancements in the building industry.
· Maintaining the values of Saudi culture and community traditions through preserving the natural environment and architectural heritage. This is achieved by student gaining skills of analysis, and deduction of the needs of Saudi community.
Mission of the Department
Being a distinguished architectural school of thought respecting the values and principles of Islam, the department is seeking the leadership role in the field of architectural education in the region. The department seeks to provide the appropriate environment for learning and research, as well as advanced resources to serve the community and promote indigenous contemporary architecture.
Objectives of the Department
· Strengthen and preserve Islamic values and the ethics of architectural profession within the students.
· Help promote the standard of Saudi built-environment.
· Provide students with high levels of knowledge and professional skills in all areas of architecture and building science.
· Link architectural education and scientific research to professional practice and building industry sectors.
Workshop on the Principles of Proportions of Ornamental Islamic Architecture
Participation of the Professors of the Architecture Department and the students of the History of Islamic Architecture course in the events of a Workshop on the Principles of Ratio and Symmetry in Islamic Architecture: the College of Architecture and Planning - the Department of Architecture and Building Sciences participated in the training workshop, which was organized by Al-Turath Establishment as part of the cooperation with the Prince of Wales traditional Arts School. Its focus was primarily on ratio and symmetry of Islamic Architecture, which was held at King Abdul-Aziz Historic Center in Riyadh during the period between 15 - 27 Shawwal 1428 H., corresponding to October 27 - November 8, 2007 G.
The participants were:
- Professor Dr. Abdul-Aziz Bin Saad Al-Mogren, the Dean of the College.
- Dr. Osama Al-Johari, Chairman of Architecture and Building Sciences Department.
- Dr. Abdullah Al-Husayyen, Assistant Professor of Architecture and Building Science Department.
- Dr. Imad Otabashi –History of Islamic Architecture Instructor.
- The students of the History of Islamic Architecture course