Florida State University Libraries Electronic Theses, Treatises and Dissertations The Graduate School 2019 Visitor Center Design and Possibilities for Visitor Engagement at ad Dir'Iyah HTaneeermi Atlajahganei Site Follow this and additional works at the DigiNole: FSU's Digital Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected] FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS VISITOR CENTER DESIGN AND POSSIBILITIES FOR VISITOR ENGAGEMENT AT AD- DIR'IYAH HERITAGE SITE By TANEEM ALJAHANI 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 Taneem Aljahani defended this thesis on October 31, 2019. The members of the supervisory committee were: Yelena McLane Professor Directing Thesis Jill Pable Committee Member Marlo Ransdell Committee Member The Graduate School has verified and approved the above-named committee members, and certifies that the thesis has been approved in accordance with university requirements. ii To my parents, Hamoud and Fatima, for their constant support and encouragement. iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to my major professor, Dr. Yelena McLane for her invaluable support, guidance, and advice. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and knowledge which helped me in completing this thesis paper. I would also like to thank my committee members, Dr. Jill Pable and Dr. Marlo Ransdell, for their consistent encouragement and insightful feedback. I am also very thankful for all my family and friends who have helped and motivated me throughout my academic journey. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS List of Figures .............................................................................................................................. viii Abstract ............................................................................................................................................x 1. INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................1 1.1 Introduction ..........................................................................................................................1 1.2 Context and Problem Statement...........................................................................................2 1.3 Purpose and Justification of the research .............................................................................2 1.4 Research Questions ..............................................................................................................3 1.5 Methodology Overview .......................................................................................................3 1.6 Assumptions, Limitations and Delimitations .......................................................................4 1.7 Definitions of Terms ............................................................................................................5 2. LITERATURE REIVEW............................................................................................................6 2.1 Introduction ..........................................................................................................................6 2.2 Cultural Heritage ..................................................................................................................6 2.3 Heritage Site Interpretation ..................................................................................................8 2.4 Heritage Site Facilities .........................................................................................................9 2.5 Definitions and Characteristics of Experience ...................................................................12 2.5.1 Cultural Heritage Experience ....................................................................................12 2.5.2 Characteristics of Experience ...................................................................................13 2.6 Stages of Visitor Experiences ............................................................................................14 2.6.1 The Pre-Visit Phase..................................................................................................16 2.6.2 During the Visit Phase .............................................................................................18 2.6.3 The Post-Visit Phase ................................................................................................22 2.7 Creating a Sensory and Emotional Experience within a Physical Space ..........................23 2.7.1 Perception, Atmosphere, and Sensory Experience .................................................24 2.7.2 Spatial Design and Experience ................................................................................25 2.7.3 Lighting and Atmosphere ........................................................................................28 2.7.4 Color and Atmosphere .............................................................................................29 2.8 The Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage .............................................30 2.9 Management and Preservation of Saudi Cultural Heritage ................................................32 2.10 Theoretical Framework .....................................................................................................34 2.11 Summary ...........................................................................................................................36 3. METHODS ...............................................................................................................................38 3.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................38 3.2 Purpose ...............................................................................................................................38 3.3 Research Questions ............................................................................................................39 3.4 Methodology ......................................................................................................................39 3.5 Study Site ...........................................................................................................................40 3.5.1 The Atturaif District in Ad- Dir'iyah Background ...................................................40 v 3.6 Visual Documentation .......................................................................................................42 3.7 Architectural Plans and Organization Document Analysis ................................................43 3.8 Questionnaire .....................................................................................................................43 3.9 Data Analysis .....................................................................................................................43 3.10 Assumptions, Limitations, and Delimitations ..................................................................44 3.11 Summary ...........................................................................................................................45 4. FINDINGS ................................................................................................................................46 4.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................46 4.2 The Case Study ..................................................................................................................46 4.3 Information Content ...........................................................................................................49 4.3.1 Geography ...............................................................................................................49 4.3.2 Settlements Over Time ............................................................................................50 4.3.3 Key Historical Events .............................................................................................51 4.3.4 Main Palaces ...........................................................................................................52 4.4 Atmospherics .....................................................................................................................54 4.4.1 Spatial Layout .........................................................................................................54 4.4.2 Geometry, Scale, Proportion, and Balance .............................................................56 4.4.3 Movement Through the Space ................................................................................57 4.4.4 Materials, Textures, Colors, and Lighting ..............................................................57 4.5 Communication ..................................................................................................................60 4.5.1 Multimedia Screen ..................................................................................................60 4.5.2 Interactive Kiosks....................................................................................................61 4.5.3 Atturaif District Model ............................................................................................62 4.5.4 3D Mapping Shows .................................................................................................63