Saudiscapes: A Photographic Journey into Saudi Arabia's Vanishing Architecture

The book 'Saudiscapes. Un viaggio polifonico in Arabia Saudita' documents the disappearing architectural heritage of Riyadh and Jeddah through photographs taken in 2019. Conceived by architects Amedeo and Andrea Schiattarella, curator Emilia Giorgi, and photographer Giovanna Silva, the publication by NERO Editions captures a moment of rapid transformation before the current construction boom. The project avoids celebrating the Schiattarella studio's work in Saudi Arabia, instead focusing on the roots of local architecture and urbanism. Giorgi and Silva will present the book on Wednesday, September 25, at Triennale Milano (6:30 PM, free entry with registration). The photographs reveal stark contrasts: Jeddah's historic center, though surrounded by contemporary buildings, still retains its original architecture, while Riyadh's historical traces are nearly erased, hidden among highways and skyscrapers. Silva's editing process divided the cities visually—Riyadh's horizontal landscapes versus Jeddah's vertical, detailed shots made possible by walkability. Giorgi notes the profound silence and the imposition of the city on the desert, as well as the jarring presence of starchitect works disconnected from context. The book serves as a visual record of a moment that has already vanished, as recent visitors report finding none of the photographed scenes.