Abstract
The various regions of Saudi Arabia consist of sites of urban and architectural heritage that reflect the characters of each region. One of these regions is Jazan, southwest of Saudi Arabia, where traditional built environment architecturally varies between mountainous and costal styles. The traditional architecture of Farasan Islands, which is part of Jazan and on the Red Sea, is distinct from that of the rest of the region due to its aesthetical richness and diversity. This study documents sites of traditional built environment of Farasan Islands and identifies its vocabularies through two levels: urban and architectural. The urban level discusses both Sayr Village and al-Qassar Village while the architectural analysis covers several buildings such as al-Rifai houses, al-Najdi house and mosque, al-Jarman house and an Ottoman castle. In documenting these sites and buildings, the research aims to draw public agencies' attention to the importance of preservation and rehabilitation of the urban and architectural heritage of the Farasan and employ it within the current urban fabric of the Islands.