Visitor centers have become more common around heritage sites. These facilities contribute to the increased level of engagement and education about cultural heritage sites. This study investigated the physical design characteristics of a visitor center located at Ad-Dir'iyah heritage site in Saudi Arabia. It also explored what interior design features may facilitate visitor engagement. The research employed an ethnographic qualitative approach for data collection and analysis, which involved site observations, visual documentation, analysis of architectural plans and an organizational document, and a questionnaire. Photographs of the visitor center interiors were taken during the researcher’s site visit. The site plan and the floor plan of the facility were obtained from the Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGDA). The document containing information about Ad-Dir'iyah history was shared by the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH). In addition, a questionnaire was filled out by a senior officer of the heritage site. The literature review showed the importance of Ad-Dir'iyah site in the cultural and political history of the Arabian Peninsula. The historic structures which define the heritage site feature unique for the region earthen constructions which consist of mud-brick as the main building material. The researcher based her analysis on a theoretical framework which identified information, communication, and atmospherics as the three major contributing factors of visitor engagement. The findings of this study indicate that the design features that may potentially have a positive effect on visitor engagement are free circulation, curtain wall, the multimedia screen, the cove lighting, and the roof terrace. The researcher concludes her study by suggesting some improvements that can be made at the site to enhance heritage site experience for its visitors. / A Thesis submitted to the Department of Interior Architecture and Design in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. / 2019 / October 31, 2019. / Atmospherics, Cultural Heritage Site, Experience, Saudi Arabia, Visitor Center, Visitor Engagement / Includes bibliographical references. / Yelena McLane, Professor Directing Thesis; Jill Pable, Committee Member; Marlo Ransdell, Committee Member.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_752325 |
| Contributors | Aljahani, Taneem (author), McLane, Yelena (professor directing thesis), Pable, Jill (committee member), Ransdell, Marlo E. (committee member), Florida State University (degree granting institution), College of Fine Arts (degree granting college), Department of Interior Architecture and Design (degree granting departmentdgg) |
| Publisher | Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Language | English, English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text, text, master thesis |
| Format | 1 online resource (101 pages), computer, application/pdf |
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