Tag: jeddah | ArchDaily

Diriyah Biennale Foundation Announces Four Studios Shortlisted for the 2027 AlMusalla Prize

Reyyan Dogan — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 06:30:00 +0000

The Diriyah Biennale Foundation has revealed the four architecture studios shortlisted for the 2027 AlMusalla Prize, an international competition that commissions the design of a musalla, a space for prayer and contemplation, for the third edition of the Islamic Arts Biennale. Opening on November 1, 2027, at the Western Hajj Terminal in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the Biennale will feature a new prayer structure designed by one of the shortlisted teams: Al-Jawad Pike (United Kingdom), Civil Architecture (Bahrain/Kuwait), MILLIØNS (United States), or NEW SOUTH (France). The winning proposal will be announced in March 2027 and realized as part of the exhibition before being permanently relocated to JAX District in Diriyah.

Jeddah Culture Square / Urko Sanchez Architects

Pilar Caballero — Thu, 06 Nov 2025 07:00:00 +0000

At the heart of the Historic Jeddah Waterfront Regeneration Initiative, the Culture Square stands as a bold statement of renewal, an intersection where memory, art, and urban transformation converge. The project reimagines the northern edge of Al Arbaeen Lagoon, facing Al-Balad, Jeddah's storied historic district, and forms part of a larger vision to turn the lagoon's perimeter into a sustainable, mixed-use urban hub.

From Albania to Iran: 7 Unbuilt Infrastructure Projects Reimagining Mobility, Ecology, and Connection

Nour Fakharany — Tue, 04 Nov 2025 04:00:00 +0000

Infrastructure has long defined the backbone of cities by linking people, landscapes, and economies through systems that often go unnoticed until they fail. Today, as global challenges demand more adaptive and human-centered responses, architects are rethinking what infrastructure can be: not just a framework for movement and utility, but a catalyst for ecological restoration, cultural continuity, and civic imagination. The following unbuilt projects, submitted by the ArchDaily community, explore this expanded role of infrastructure, where airports, bridges, industrial parks, and pedestrian networks become architectural expressions of connection and care.

AlMusalla at the Islamic Arts Biennale / East Architecture Studio

Hana Abdel — Wed, 29 Jan 2025 07:00:00 +0000

Titled "On Weaving," the winning pavilion of the Diriyah Biennale Foundation's inaugural AlMusalla Prize reconciles the historic and contemporary, giving new life to the ancient architectural traditions of Islamic prayer.

Scenography for the 2025 Islamic Arts Biennale / OMA

Hana Abdel — Wed, 29 Jan 2025 03:00:00 +0000

The 2025 Islamic Arts Biennale displays over 500 historical objects and 30 contemporary art commissions—more than double the content of the inaugural edition. Spread across five galleries, two pavilions, and the outdoor spaces under SOM's Hajj Terminal canopy, the exhibition is divided into three indoor areas—AlBidayah (The Beginning), AlMadar (The Orbit), and Almuqtani (Homage)—and the outdoor Almidhallah (The Canopy).

Islamic Arts Biennale 2025 Opens in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Nour Fakharany — Mon, 27 Jan 2025 05:30:00 +0000

The second edition of the Islamic Arts Biennale, titled And All That Is In Between, has officially opened in Jeddah. Organized by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, the Biennale takes place at the Western Hajj Terminal of King Abdulaziz International Airport, a site that holds profound significance for millions of Muslim pilgrims traveling for Hajj and Umrah. The exhibition scenography is designed by the international architecture firm OMA, enhancing the experience with a thoughtful spatial narrative. The exhibition, which runs until May 25, 2025, explores how faith is experienced, expressed, and celebrated through feeling, thinking, and making.

Unveiling the 15 Most Significant Architectural Events of 2025

Diogo Borges Ferreira — Fri, 17 Jan 2025 05:00:00 +0000

2025 promises to be a landmark in architecture, heralding a vibrant renaissance of creativity and exploration. As societies confront challenges such as climate change, rapid urbanization, and technological evolution, architecture is both a mirror to these dynamics and a compass pointing toward a sustainable and inclusive future. This year's architectural calendar offers abundant opportunities to celebrate the discipline's transformative power — from boundary-pushing festivals to thought-provoking exhibitions that explore pressing cultural and environmental narratives.

Riyadh Metro Orange Line Now Is Operational, Marking Completion of a Citywide Network in Saudi Arabia

Nour Fakharany — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 05:30:00 +0000

The Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) has confirmed that the Orange Line of the Riyadh Metro, also known as the Al Madinah Al Munawwarah Axis, began operations on Sunday, January 5, 2025. Spanning 41 kilometers, the Orange Line runs east to west, connecting Jeddah Road in the west to the Second Eastern Ring Road near Khashm Al Aan in the east in Saudi Arabia. This newly operational line is a key component of the city's metro system, designed to enhance urban mobility and connectivity.

Saudi Arabia Secures FIFA 2034 World Cup Bid: Full List of Stadiums Revealed

Maria-Cristina Florian — Thu, 12 Dec 2024 05:00:00 +0000

Saudi Arabia was officially announced as the 2034 FIFA World Cup host. The country plans to build 11 new stadiums and refurbish four of its existing venues. The proposed host cities include Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Khobar, Abha, and the yet-unbuilt Neom, a 170-kilometer-long linear city proposed to be built on the Red Sea coast. Additionally, the plan involves 134 training sites across the country, with 73 newly built facilities.

EAST Architecture Studio Wins Inaugural AlMusalla Prize for Islamic Arts Biennale 2025 in Saudi Arabia

Nour Fakharany — Thu, 10 Oct 2024 05:30:00 +0000

The Diriyah Biennale Foundation has announced Lebanon-based EAST Architecture Studio, in collaboration with artist Rayyane Tabet and engineering firm AKT II, as the winners of the inaugural AlMusalla Prize, a significant new architectural competition launched as part of the Islamic Arts Biennale. Their winning design, a modular structure inspired by regional weaving traditions, uses sustainable materials derived from local date palm waste, including palm fronds and fibers. After the four-month Biennale, the Musalla will be dismantled and reassembled at a new location.

Islamic Arts Biennale 2025 Announces Theme: Exploring Faith Through Art and Culture

Nour Fakharany — Thu, 26 Sep 2024 05:30:00 +0000

The Diriyah Biennale Foundation has revealed the theme and title for the 2025 Islamic Arts Biennale: And all that is in between. Scheduled from January 25 to May 25, 2025, at the Western Hajj Terminal of King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, this second edition will explore how faith is experienced, expressed, and celebrated through the acts of feeling, thinking, and making.

King Salman Charter for Architecture and Urbanism Award Announces 2024 Winners in Saudi Arabia

Nour Fakharany — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 05:30:00 +0000

The King Salman Charter for Architecture and Urbanism Award has just announced the winners for 2024. Recognizing outstanding achievements in architecture and urbanism in Saudi Arabia, The King Salman Charter for Architecture and Urbanism Award is an initiative designed to celebrate projects that are aligned with the values of the King Salman Charter in Saudi Arabia. This year, since projects were honored with the award from three categories: built projects, unbuilt projects, and student projects.

Henning Larsen Architects Reveals Jeddah Opera House in Saudi Arabia

Nour Fakharany — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 05:30:00 +0000

Henning Larsen Architect has just revealed the designs for The Jeddah Opera House, a new local landmark in Saudi Arabia. Drawing inspiration from the historical Al-Balad neighborhood, the Opera House celebrates culture and regional geography. Situated along the Red Sea waterfront, the opera house aims to connect residents and visitors to the sea through a culture spine under a natural canopy. Extending from the city, through the opera house, to the water, this “spine” forms an integral part of the Jeddah Central masterplan for the new Opera Quarter.

Shaping the Future of Islamic Architecture: Diriyah Biennale Foundation Unveils AlMusalla Prize

Nour Fakharany — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 05:30:00 +0000

The Diriyah Biennale Foundation has just unveiled the competition details for the AlMusalla Prize, along with the shortlisted architecture studios and the jury. An addition to the Islamic Arts Biennale, this international architecture competition focuses on designing a musalla, a flexible space for prayer and reflection accessible to people of all faiths. Situated in the Western Hajj Terminal of King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the musalla will be an integral part of the Biennale’s upcoming edition. The winner of the competition will be announced later this year, and the opening of the musalla will be held on January 25th, 2025.

World's First-Ever 3D Printed Mosque Opens in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Nour Fakharany — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 05:30:00 +0000

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is now home to the world’s first 3D-printed mosque, spanning an area of 5,600 sqm. Located within the Al-Jawhara suburb of Jeddah, the mosque stands as a tribute to the late equestrian Abdulaziz Abdullah Sharbatly. The project by Forsan Real Estate utilizes cutting-edge 3D printing technology from Guanli.

Saudi Arabia's 2030 Vision Unveiled through Mega Projects

Nour Fakharany — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 04:00:00 +0000

Saudi Arabia, a country going through a tremendous transition, is not only changing its skyline but also redefining its identity on a global level. As part of their 2030 Vision serving as the compass, the kingdom is moving toward new developments, aiming to revive culture and diversify the economy. In fact, the capital, Riyadh, is leading the transformation by hosting the 2030 World Expo. Representing the country’s dedication to advancement, several mega projects are taking place and transforming the kingdom's fabric.

World's Tallest Skyscraper Resumes Construction After a 5-Year Hiatus in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Nour Fakharany — Wed, 04 Oct 2023 05:30:00 +0000

After a five-year pause, construction on the Jeddah Tower has resumed. Set to become the world’s tallest skyscraper and beat the UAE’s Burj Khalifa, the tower was designed by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture and initially began construction in 2013. Interestingly, the Burj Khalifa was also designed by Adrian Smith while at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill . The scheme faced many delays, including a pause in 2018 and further setbacks due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, the initial contractor was replaced during the 2017-2019 Saudi Arabian purge.

Sumayya Vally on the First Islamic Arts Biennale: "Claim, Reclaim, Configure, and Reconfigure"

Christele Harrouk — Wed, 26 Apr 2023 07:30:00 +0000

The First Islamic Arts Biennale, artistically directed by Sumayya Vally, opened on January 2023 and is still ongoing until May 23, 2023, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The inaugural event was commissioned and produced by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation and was curated by Vally alongside Dr. Julian Raby, Dr. Omniya Abdel Barr, and Dr. Saad Al-Rashid. The biennale re-imagines the Western Hajj Terminal at King Abdulaziz Airport, designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill and winner of the 1983 Aga Khan Award, as a cultural space to redefine Islamic Arts from "within, in a way, that connects some of these art forms and forms of artistic expression to the experience and rituals" of those that live it.