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oai:figshare.com:article/32641950 2026-10-01T16:19:27Z portal_1172 item_type_8 month_year_10_2026

Designing for inclusive thermal comfort in libraries in hot climates: a comparative study of architectural, interior, colour, cultural and user experience informed design factors in Saudi Arabia and Qatar Amirah Qashqari (24170358) PUREID: 659310923 Thermal comfort culture change public buildings hot and humid gender segregation Arabian Gulf region Beyond the thermostat, thermal comfort includes cultural practices, clothing, and space use. Saudi Arabia is undergoing cultural changes and reshaping public building design aligned with its Vision 2030 policy. Spaces that once separated men and women are now inclusive, affecting thermal comfort, especially considering cultural dress norms that intensify climate impacts. This issue, particularly in Saudi Arabia, has received little research attention. Libraries exemplify this challenge: they serve as inclusive cultural hubs with unique thermal demands.<br><br>In hot and humid climates, libraries face the dual challenge of preserving collections while maintaining user comfort. Conflicting standards, IFLA’s 20–22°C and ASHRAE’s 24°C ±1°C, highlight a research gap in balancing these needs, especially within Gulf region libraries. Qatar and Saudi Arabia share the same hot climatic zone and thus face similar challenges. Reflecting earlier cultural changes in Qatar, Saudi Arabia’s inclusive cultural shift requires design strategies that address diverse comfort needs shaped by clothing, lifestyle, and social use of space. This study applies a mixed-methods approach, reviewing historical Middle Eastern libraries and analysing two current cases in Saudi Arabia and Qatar through architectural reviews, solar analysis, temperature measurements, observations, and interviews. This methodological framework directly informed the study’s central question: in Saudi Arabia’s hot, humid climate, which sustainable design strategies can public libraries adopt to ensure both human comfort and the preservation of books and documents?<br><br>Findings show thermal comfort depends on both temperature and adaptable, culturally sensitive environments. Spatial planning, like separating reference and reading areas, supports different thermal needs. Mixed-gender use has minimal impact, with differences linked to clothing insulation. Offering varied reading areas with different temperatures, shaped by orientation, window placement, and interior design, increases satisfaction. This study provides insights for libraries and public buildings in hot climates, guiding future research on inclusive thermal comfort in culturally shifting spaces. It sets out a foundational reference for culturally informed, climatically responsive architectural solutions, redefining thermal comfort as a socio-cultural experience. 2026-10-01T16:19:27Z Text Thesis 10.17034/32641950.v1 https://figshare.com/articles/thesis/Designing_for_inclusive_thermal_comfort_in_libraries_in_hot_climates_a_comparative_study_of_architectural_interior_colour_cultural_and_user_experience_informed_design_factors_in_Saudi_Arabia_and_Qatar/32641950 All Rights Reserved