ABSTRACT
This study is based on a field survey of 20122013 related to the building heritage of Saudi Arabia that will focus the issue of modernization replacing vernacular practices. As observed, modern materials, such as reinforced concrete, are being used instead of load-bearing walls of rubble, stone, cob and adobe. Traditional craftsmen who are experts on the local conditions and building materials are being replaced by foreign specialists, who are ill equipped to deal with the local conditions and have no sense about the building traditions of the country. This study is intended to bring this issue under the limelight, although it may not be sufficient to argue the case in its totality.
