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

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.