DUBAI: Riyadh has emerged as a focal point for cutting-edge design as the Royal Institute of British Architects unveiled the 15 finalists for its inaugural Middle East’s Most Transformative New Buildings award.
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The new accolade recognises the most transformative and socially impactful new architecture throughout the Gulf, and two of the most striking contenders are in the Saudi capital.
At the heart of Riyadh’s contribution is King Salman Park, a sweeping regeneration of the city’s former airport site by Gerber Architekten, Buro Happold and Setec. The ambitious project is transforming a relic of the aviation era into a vast urban oasis, providing residents and visitors with a network of gardens, water features and recreational spaces designed to bring nature back to the desert metropolis; pioneering desert soil revitalisation, sustainable water use, and climate-resilient planting.
Nearby, the Wadi Safar Experience Center is a gateway to the wider Wadi Safar development and draws on the vernacular Najdi style. Created by Dar Al Omran – Rasem Badran, the center features inward-facing courtyards and earth-berm landscaping that create a cool, contemplative atmosphere while celebrating the region’s heritage.
