saudi Diriyah Art Futures by Schiattarella Associati
Schiattarella Associati has unveiled Diriyah Art Futures, a distinctive digital art ‘incubator’ in Saudi Arabia designed for exhibitions, education, and art production. Covering an area of 12,800 square meters, it is situated northwest of Riyadh, close to a significant historical and archaeological site in the Arabian Peninsula. The design approach of Schiattarella Associati emphasizes a connection with the surroundings, considering not only the physical characteristics of the context but also engaging with the cultural values and the memory of the location. Inspired by the organic nature of traditional Nadji architecture, which was historically designed to sustain human life in the challenging desert environment through ancient techniques, the project reinterprets key features such as massivity, permeability, complexity, and human scale in a contemporary context. The design investigates the intersections between identity and future, drawing from the stark sunlight, dense shadows, and essential volumes characteristic of Nadji architecture.
all images by Schiattarella Associati
Urban Integration Along the Wadi
Situated along a wadi cliff, the project focuses on restoring visual and physical continuity between the wadi and the upper part of the cliff, as well as between the agricultural and urban areas. Rather than constructing a standalone building, the architects at Schiattarella Associati sought to create a segment of town reminiscent of the historical settlements of Diriyah along Wadi Hanifa. The majority of the structure is below grade, with volumes emerging from the escarpment organized to form a complex urban fabric. This cluster of volumes, characterized by a scale mirroring the landscape on the wadi side and a more human scale on the urban side, is permeable and features an articulated sequence of spaces. The openness extends not only towards the wadi but also internally, as public spaces flow seamlessly into the lobby and the triple-height entrance space without any thresholds.
the first of its kind center in the Gulf Region
evoking Nadji architecture in Diriyah Art Futures
the cluster of volumes is permeable and features an articulated sequence of spaces
integrating the Gulf Region’s heritage with modernity
