From Structure to Story: Semantic Mapping and Narrative Documentation of Riyadh's Modern Architecture

Naif Alghamdi^1*Mohammed Mashary Alnaim²

• ¹Department of Architecture and Building Sciences, College of Architecture and Planning, King Saud University, Riyadh 11421, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
• ²Department of Architectural Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Hail, Hail, Saudi Arabia

Riyadh's modern architecture from the 1970s–1980s post-oil boom period remains underrepresented in Saudi heritage narratives, which tend to emphasize either pre-modern structures or contemporary iconic landmarks. This paper advances a hybrid documentation model that extends beyond conventional integrative frameworks by linking spatial analysis, semantic mapping, and participatory narrative documentation into a single interpretive system. The model specifically addresses a research gap in heritage studies concerning the underrepresentation of non-Western modernism within existing documentation paradigms. It reconceptualizes architectural recording as a co-creative process that integrates community memory, spatial semantics, and digital participation to interpret rather than merely describe modern heritage. The model is tested through four representative case studies in Riyadh governmental, institutional, and hospitality, drawn from the city's 1970s–1980s post-oil expansion. Findings reveal that modern architecture in Riyadh embodies negotiated identities between localized tradition and global modernity, challenging static preservation logics. The study's contribution lies in proposing a theoretically grounded, accessible framework that operationalizes inclusivity, interpretive participation, and digital literacy within heritage documentation practices, offering replicable value for other rapidly urbanizing contexts.