GREENING A DESERT
QIDDIYA FESTIVAL GROUNDS
Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Status: In Progress
Client: Confidential
Collaboration: Robert Bird Group and SMEC
Services: Living Story, Ecological Analysis, Landscape
Qiddiya, near Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, aspires to be a global center for culture, sports, and leisure. Our vision for the Qiddiya Festival Grounds is rooted in biomimicry, working in harmony with the land’s natural rhythms to foster ecological regeneration and resilience. Collaborating with RBG and SMEC, we integrated human systems with nature, creating a living, evolving landscape. This approach extends to public spaces, each uniquely designed to suit its context and utilize local resources. Inspired by “patch dynamics,” we created a diverse range of spaces offering enriching experiences while minimizing environmental impact. Bio-inspired forms, like the Fibonacci-inspired VIP spiral, provide unique views and celebrate natural design principles. By prioritizing the land’s natural systems, the Qiddiya Festival Grounds become a regenerative model for ambitious development, demonstrating how to create inspiring landscapes that harmonize with the natural world.