Riyadh Vista

Riyadh Vista is a competition proposal for a public destination on a wadi edge in Riyadh. Its program combines a promenade, a pavilion, a mosque plaza, leisure areas and viewpoints within a stepped landscape.

A primary axis extending 550 meters organizes the site from the urban entrance to the overlook. The route connects the different activities while responding to the changing levels of the ground.

Riyadh Vista: White massing model of the inclined pavilion — White massing model of the inclined pavilion.

Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Client: Riyadh Municipality
Type: Public Civic Landscape, Competition Entry
Primary Axis: 550 m
Built Coverage: 25% of site area
Status: Competition Proposal
Year: 2024
Principal: Ibrahim Nawaf Joharji
Scope: Urban Design, Pavilion Architecture, Landscape, Cultural Infrastructure

The pavilion’s form takes the movement of the Saudi bisht as a cultural reference. Geometric studies translate its folds and rotation into an inclined architectural composition. The reference guides the design rather than functioning as an applied motif.

The promenade links the mosque plaza, commercial and dining areas, camping terraces and the wadi viewpoint. Its continuity is intended to make the larger site understandable as a sequence of accessible public spaces.

The mosque plaza is oriented toward the qibla and forms a gathering point within the plan. Triangular forms recur in the pavilion and the landscape organization, connecting the architectural element to the wider site.

The wadi swing area introduces a recreational use at the overlook. It is one component of a broader landscape program that also includes terraces, skating areas and outdoor gathering spaces.

Camping areas are arranged on stepped terraces reaching six levels. Commercial uses are placed near the main routes, with access from the perimeter. The competition’s 25% building coverage allowance informed the balance between structures and open land.

The pavilion uses a layered roof and openings to produce shaded spaces and views through the structure. The proposal studies enclosure and air movement together, with the landscape remaining the dominant setting.

Warm material tones, planted areas and the exposed wadi edge connect the design to its Riyadh setting. The drawings show how axes, levels, built volumes and planting were developed in successive stages.

Riyadh Vista is presented as a competition design. Its significance lies in organizing a varied civic program around a continuous public route and a specific topographic edge.

Riyadh Vista: Site model showing the swing area at the cliff edge — Site model showing the swing area at the cliff edge.

Riyadh Vista: Concept board connecting the bisht gesture to the pavilion form — Concept board connecting the bisht gesture to the pavilion form.

Riyadh Vista: Site diagram identifying the main axes and connections — Site diagram identifying the main axes and connections.

Riyadh Vista: Site diagram showing steps and terraces — Site diagram showing steps and terraces.

Riyadh Vista: Site diagram locating buildings and parking areas — Site diagram locating buildings and parking areas.

Riyadh Vista: Planting and afforestation study across the site — Planting and afforestation study across the site.

Riyadh Vista: Layered diagram of the site program and pavilion — Layered diagram of the site program and pavilion.

Riyadh Vista: Material and cultural reference palette — Material and cultural reference palette.

Riyadh Vista: Aerial visualization showing the promenade and pavilion — Aerial visualization showing the promenade and pavilion.

Riyadh Vista: Comparative site analysis sheets — Comparative site analysis sheets.

Riyadh Vista: Evening visualization of the stepped landscape — Evening visualization of the stepped landscape.

Riyadh Vista: Sectional model of the pavilion above the rocky edge — Sectional model of the pavilion above the rocky edge.

Riyadh Vista: Urban context diagram with principal visual axes — Urban context diagram with principal visual axes.

Riyadh Vista: Pedestrian view along the planted promenade — Pedestrian view along the planted promenade.

Riyadh Vista: Aerial view of the recreational areas and stepped terraces — Aerial view of the recreational areas and stepped terraces.

Riyadh Vista: Night visualization of the illuminated pavilion — Night visualization of the illuminated pavilion.

Riyadh Vista: Arrival visualization from the perimeter road — Arrival visualization from the perimeter road.

Riyadh Vista: Digital interior study beneath the pavilion roof — Digital interior study beneath the pavilion roof.

Riyadh Vista: Graphic identity for Riyadh Vista — Graphic identity for Riyadh Vista.

Related project: Mushroom Whale Port.