Lina Ghotmeh and Asif Khan to Design AlUla's New Museums

Lina Ghotmeh and Asif Khan have been appointed by the Royal Commission for AlUla as the architects for two upcoming museums in AlUla, Saudi Arabia. Ghotmeh is tasked with creating the contemporary art museum, while Khan will oversee the design of the Museum of the Incense Road. Their selection followed an international competition led by Dr. Khaled Azzam, the architect behind AlUla's Journey Through Time Masterplan. These museums mark the initial phase of 15 cultural projects aimed at establishing AlUla as a global tourist hub and contributing to economic diversification in line with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030. The contemporary art museum will showcase works from artists across the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and Eastern Mediterranean regions, alongside international talents, featuring a design of interconnected pavilion galleries and artist gardens. The Museum of the Incense Road will be the first of its kind, focusing on north-west Arabia's historical significance in cultural and economic exchanges, with its programming shaped by local experts and community input. Asif Khan, recognized with an MBE, is also involved in the Barbican Centre renovation and the new London Museum, while Ghotmeh is designing the 2023 Serpentine Pavilion.