A new layout for a vivid urban living.
SEDRA MASTERPLAN
#architecture, #re-use, #urbanplanning, #museumdesign, #ksa
Bilgi
SEDRA MASTERPLAN
Our vision for SEDRA 3 development is to create a
community that blends contemporary urban design with
the rich cultural heritage of Najd. The project reimagines
the heart of SEDRA 3, by designing an interconnected
pedestrian spine, reshuffling essential services, and
embracing local landscaping to strengthen the identity of
the place.
Drawing from the architectural heritage of Riyadh, our
design pays homage to the region’s cultural history while
incorporating modern techniques to address the practical
needs of the site. The soft textures, varied forms, and
thoughtful use of light and shadow evoke the traditional
character of local architecture while providing solutions
that enhance comfort and resilience in the harsh desert
climate.
By embracing local craftsmanship and working closely
with artisans, the project strengthens the connection to
its cultural context and supports the local economy. This
collaborative approach creates a sense of authenticity,
ensuring that the development reflects both contemporary
requirements and the deep-rooted traditions of Najd.
Müşteri
ROSHN
Konum
Riyadh, KSA
Boyut
18.500 sqm
programı
Masterplan, Urban Design, Commerical District, Mosque, Education, Neighborhood Park
Durum
In Progress
ortak çalışanlar
Sacit Arda KARAATLI
Lebriz ATAN KARAATLI
Ömer AKMAN
Ecem TORUN
Ehab Al Amri (Urban Planner)
Abdarrouf Alamri
Saif Diab
Being In-Between
The project site accommodates a diverse range of programs essential for a vibrant neighborhood, including a mosque, commercial units, and an early education center. Despite their different functions, the architectural design principles we applied create a cohesive language across all buildings. While the architectural expression of each building is refined and adapted based on its programmatic requirements, they share a common spatial narrative.
Our design draws inspiration from key elements of Saudi and Islamic architectural traditions, focusing on the concept of being in-between—neither fully inside nor entirely outside.
For example, the plaza consists of marketplaces facing each other and accompanied by canopies that create shaded passageways. Inspired by traditional Saudi marketplaces, it provides semi-open, transitional spaces where interactions and social life unfold. These zones create a blurred boundary, fostering dynamic social encounters.
The project area is divided into three distinct segments. Sequence A, located near the main road, is characterized by high vehicular and pedestrian activity, making it a lively and dynamic zone. Sequence B is a quieter segment, embedded within the neighborhood, with minimal traffic flow. Sequence C forms a narrow extension that connects the project site to the Central Mix-Use Hub to the south.
Our primary large-scale decision was to reposition the commercial units to the northern part of the site, ensuring easy access from the main road. This area was also reimagined as a central plaza, incorporating the mosque as a key focal point. In Saudi culture, the mosque is not merely a place of worship but also an integral gathering space embedded in daily life.
The educational facility, designed for young children, is located to Section B to create a more serene environment, away from traffic noise and activity, fostering a stronger connection with the residential community. To bridge the public, high-activity space of Section A with the more intimate educational zone in Section B, a neighborhood park was introduced as a transitional space. Section C is conceived as a continuation of this green space, forming a park that seamlessly connects the project site to the southern Mix-Use Hub, enhancing the overall landscape integration.
Crafting an Urban Landscape for Connection and Conversation
Respect to the Geography
The architectural heritage of Riyadh is deeply rooted in the use of local materials that reflect the surrounding environment and cultural traditions. In our design, we reinterpret these elements by integrating materials that pay homage to this heritage. Plaster surfaces evoke the soft, earth-toned textures of traditional façades, while Riyadh stone—a durable limestone quarried locally—provides a sense of permanence and connection to place. Brass accents, celebrated for their fine craftsmanship in Saudi culture, introduce warmth and artisanal detail. Additionally, white marble, widely used in religious and civic architecture, enhances the design with its cooling properties, offering both aesthetic refinement and thermal comfort in the hot climate. The triangular precast concrete panels, inspired by Islamic geometric motifs, create a contemporary expression that plays with light and shadow, reinforcing the cultural narrative through modern means.
By weaving these materials together, the design establishes a dialogue between tradition and innovation, reflecting Riyadh’s rich architectural legacy while addressing contemporary needs for functionality, resilience, and identity.
Materiality & Layout connects Riyadh’s heritage with contemporary resilience.
A Vivid and Inviting Commercial Area
The brief positions the Neighborhood Convention Center as a commercial hub meant to meet the daily needs of residents while fostering community interaction and contributing to a cohesive urban environment. However, if we had opted for a single large building to house all the programmatic elements, it would have primarily interacted with the city through its four façades, limiting the dynamic, interactive spaces typically found in Saudi commercial typologies, where shops and markets often face each other to create lively, active corridors.
To address this, we divided the program into three distinct masses instead of a single monolithic building, creating a more human-scale, neighborhood-friendly configuration.
By distributing the program across three smaller volumes, the configuration achieves a more permeable and engaging relationship with the surrounding urban fabric. When combined with the adjacent mosque, this cluster of buildings forms a lively public plaza that functions as a social hub for the neighborhood, active throughout the day and into the evening.
When we began analyzing the site provided for the competition, we identified a unique opportunity with immense potential to enhance both the value and quality of life for SEDRA 3 residents. This opportunity lies in the central area between the various neighborhoods, adjacent to the competition site. We propose a reimagined solution that fully capitalizes on this strategic location’s potential which is initially planned as apartment blocks. By transforming it into a vibrant, multifunctional hub, our design creates a dynamic space that connects the neighborhoods, enriches community life, and sets a new standard for urban living in SEDRA.
The proposed master plan for the SEDRA 3 Community incorporates all the essential elements for creating a vibrant, sustainable, and economically thriving environment. With a central area surrounded by highly accessible streets, it serves as a cohesive hub that concentrates retail and commercial activities, supporting diverse businesses.
Shaping SEDRA’s Future, Unlocking its Full Potential
İlgili Projeler
How can architecture reflect the purity of faith and the warmth of community?
Anadolu bozkırına serilip toprak ile bir diyalog kuran renkli halı ve kilimler gibi, Temenni tepesinin altında serili bir kent kilimi
