Schiattarella Associati's Diriyah Art Futures Hub Nears Completion in Saudi Arabia

The Diriyah Art Futures hub, designed by Rome-based Schiattarella Associati, is nearing completion in Saudi Arabia. The 6,500-square-meter cultural center, located northwest of Riyadh near the At-Turaif UNESCO World Heritage Site, is part of the Saudi Vision 2030 initiative. It won an international competition in 2014 and will serve as a digital arts hub with exhibition spaces, production studios, artist residencies, a school, and a shop. The studio commissioned photographer Paolo Pellegrin to document the construction, while Giovanna Silva and Emilia Giorgi conducted field research for an upcoming book. The project reflects the studio's approach of integrating local architectural traditions, emphasizing the 'value of emptiness' and light. The hub is expected to open by December 2023, coinciding with the announcement of the host city for Expo 2030, for which Rome and Riyadh are contenders.