Shamalat Cultural Space Opens in Historic Diriyah
Saudi artist Maha Malluh has launched Shamalat, a cultural space in old Diriyah, Riyadh, housed in a renovated mud house. The project, in collaboration with syn architects, preserves original mud walls while integrating modern materials like Riyadh stone. A concrete column beside a hollowed mud wall symbolizes the intersection of past and present. The name Shamalat derives from Jahili poetry, referencing twin mountain peaks as witnesses to time. The space includes an exhibition, artist residency, and workshop. It opened on February 15 with the exhibition 'Shamalat: An Architecture of Continuity,' detailing the renovation process, running until May 15.
Key facts
- Shamalat is a cultural space created by Saudi artist Maha Malluh.
- It is located in old Diriyah, a historic city on the outskirts of Riyadh.
- The space is housed in an old mud house renovated by Malluh and syn architects.
- Renovation preserved parts of the mud house and used modern materials for others.
- A new addition within the original yard footprint was built around an existing adobe fence and clad with Riyadh stone.
- A concrete column adjacent to a hollowed mud wall symbolizes the intersection of past and present.
- The name Shamalat is a modification of 'shmam' from Jahili poetry, meaning twin mountain peaks.
- Shamalat opened on 15 February with the exhibition 'Shamalat: An Architecture of Continuity' running until 15 May.
Entities
Artists
- Maha Malluh
Institutions
- syn architects
Locations
- Diriyah
- Riyadh
- Saudi Arabia