Project Name: Diriyah Art Futures Center

Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Design Team: Schiattarella Associati

Building Area: 12,000 m²

Completion Year: 2024

Photographers: Mohamed Somji, Antoine Horenbeek, Hassan Al Shatti, Guido Petruccioli

Feature：

Project - Nestled on the desert's edge near Riyadh, the Diriyah Art Futures Center emerges as a groundbreaking cultural landmark that seamlessly weaves architectural innovation with the rich historical fabric of the Nejd region. Designed by Italian architectural firm Schiattarella Associati, this 12,000-square-meter complex stands as the Gulf's first museum dedicated to digital arts, embodying Saudi Arabia's ambitious 2030 Vision of cultural transformation.

More than just a museum, the center is a sophisticated dialogue between contemporary design and ancient landscape. Strategically positioned adjacent to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Diriyah's historic city, the building defies conventional museum typologies. Instead of a compact structure, it unfolds as a series of elongated volumes that horizontally extend across the Hanifa Valley, creating a dynamic interplay of spaces that echo the region's traditional architectural principles.

The architects' vision is radical in its approach: to create a building that appears to grow organically from the earth itself. "We wanted the architecture to feel like it emerged from the ground," explains Amedeo Schiattarella. This philosophy translates into a design that respects and responds to its context, with narrow, cooling passages and carefully considered volumes that reconnect urban and agricultural zones.

Sustainability is intrinsic to the project's DNA. The center achieves zero waste through intelligent use of local materials and passive design strategies. Utilizing local stones, raw earth, and lime, the building establishes a powerful material continuity with its site. Innovative features like geothermal cooling and rainwater recycling demonstrate a commitment to environmental stewardship that goes beyond mere aesthetics.

The interior is equally compelling. Paola Schiattarella has crafted spaces that blend local materiality with contemporary functionality. From modern interpretations of traditional mashrabiya wooden screens to underground laboratories bathed in carefully choreographed natural light, the center becomes a canvas for artistic exploration and cultural innovation.

As a pioneering project under Saudi Arabia's cultural renaissance, the Diriyah Art Futures Center is not just a building—it's a statement. It challenges global architectural homogenization, celebrating instead the unique potential of place, tradition, and forward-thinking design.

Design Team - Founded in 1970, Schiattarella Associati has emerged as a groundbreaking architectural practice that transcends conventional design paradigms. Headquartered in Rome, the firm has consistently challenged architectural orthodoxies by exploring the profound relationship between geometric precision and spatial randomness, establishing a unique design philosophy that views architectural voids as fundamental design elements.

Led by the visionary trio Amedeo, Andrea, and Paola Schiattarella, the practice has distinguished itself through an experimental approach that transforms each project into a rigorous architectural investigation. Their methodology seamlessly integrates complex geometric principles with dynamic spatial configurations, creating environments that dialogue intimately with their contextual landscapes.

With a robust portfolio spanning Europe and the Middle East, Schiattarella Associati has developed a reputation for innovative cultural and public space interventions. The firm's international project experience—including significant commissions in South Korea and recent groundbreaking work in Saudi Arabia—demonstrates their ability to translate local architectural vernaculars into contemporary design languages.

Their recent Diriyah Art Futures Center exemplifies their design ethos: a project that emerges organically from its desert context, challenging global architectural homogenization while celebrating site-specific architectural expression. By consistently pushing disciplinary boundaries, Schiattarella Associati continues to redefine architectural discourse in the 21st century.