Zaha Hadid Architects Wins Competition for Diriyah Heritage Centre in Saudi Arabia
Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) has emerged victorious in a competition to create the Urban Heritage Administration Centre in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia, a city that served as the capital of the First Saudi State from 1744 to 1818. This centre will house a library, exhibition gallery, conference hall, educational facilities, and the main office of a scientific institute dedicated to archaeological sites. Located in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Diriyah's al-Ṭurayf district, the design highlights the relationship between humans and nature, incorporating a water atrium and cladding with rhythmic cuts that echo the area's traditional mud-brick architecture. The initiative seeks to align with the evolving cultural heritage of Saudi Arabia, in accordance with the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage.
Key facts
- Zaha Hadid Architects won a competition for the Urban Heritage Administration Centre in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia.
- Diriyah was the capital of the First Saudi State from 1744 to 1818.
- The centre will include an exhibition gallery, library, conference hall, educational spaces, and a scientific institute headquarters.
- Diriyah's al-Ṭurayf district is a 15th-century Najd-style UNESCO World Heritage site.
- The design emphasizes the human-nature bond and references vernacular architecture.
- A water-featured atrium serves as the central focus, evoking an oasis.
- The building's cladding uses transverse cuts to control light and provide views, inspired by traditional mud-brick openings.
- The project aligns with the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage's new directions.
Entities
Artists
- Zaha Hadid Architects
Institutions
- Zaha Hadid Architects
- UNESCO
- Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage
Locations
- Diriyah
- Saudi Arabia
- al-Ṭurayf
- Wadi Hanifa
- Riyadh