What is the Architectural Language for Riyadh City in Saudi Arabia?
This is a fundamental question that architects designing in Riyadh must answer. But what responses typically emerge? Is it merely mimicking rocky mountain forms, reinterpreting historical facade elements, or replicating traditional urban footprints? Or perhaps simply copying the shapes of sand dunes?
While these approaches might be initial considerations, they often only scratch the surface of true innovation. Unfortunately, even seasoned architects can fall into the trap of repeating conventional solutions, rarely venturing beyond the immediately ‘thinkable’.
This leads me to ponder: what should be the architectural language for Saudi’s burgeoning new city developments? Looking at Riyadh, — with its ambitious aerotropolis, massive airport developments, and bold visions like the Mukaab — the need for an answer becomes even more urgent.
To uncover this optimal architectural language, I believe we must first identify how it can genuinely improve daily life. Given Riyadh’s arid climate and the significant comfort gained from shade, providing effective shading is not a luxury; it’s a fundamental necessity that people will deeply appreciate.
Consider Hong Kong, where many developments integrate canopies along street fronts. These provide shelter from rain and sun, and even protection from falling objects—a crucial consideration in highly dense urban spaces. Such functional elements eventually build up and shape the city itself, becoming an integral part of its architectural language.
This line of thought led me to consider how shaded space itself can become an architectural language. Take ‘The Line’ project, for instance, renowned for its dramatic visual impact. For Saudi’s new developments, we shouldn’t just dismiss such bold architectural concepts as ‘difficult to achieve.’ Instead, we should explore how they can fundamentally redefine the architectural language for the Saudi climate, demonstrating how ‘The Line’s’ underlying principles could be a powerful new language for the region.
It’s not the form—it’s the context.
Go find out why.
Regardless of ‘The Line’s’ immense scale, let’s consider the fundamental concept of parallel vertical planes (walls) and how their inherent ability to create shade can activate and define the intervening urban space.
This, I argue, is where a truly responsive and innovative architectural language for Riyadh can begin.
What are your thoughts on defining Riyadh’s architectural identity?
