Schiattarella Associati designs Contemporary Art Center in Saudi Arabia's historic Ad Diriyah

Italian architecture firm Schiattarella Associati has won an international competition to design the Ad Diriyah Contemporary Art Center in Saudi Arabia. The project, commissioned by the Arriyadh Development Authority in 2013, aims to create a hub for the production, promotion, and documentation of contemporary Saudi art. Located on the Najd plateau 20 kilometers from Riyadh, Ad Diriyah was the first capital of the Saudi kingdom and is home to the UNESCO-listed Turaif district. The center will allocate nearly half of its 6,500 square meters to artist residencies and production facilities, including video-photo sets, recording studios, and post-production spaces. Local gallerists and artists have formed a scientific committee to help define the program, emphasizing digital art. The design integrates with the landscape and historical context, featuring a continuous front along Wadi Hanifa and a permeable side facing the old city. The studio's small size and flexible approach were key factors in winning the commission, beating proposals by Rafael De la Hoz, Keith William, and Erick van Egeraat. The executive project was delivered in November 2015, and realization now depends on private funding.