Excerpt: Shams El-Riyadh by El Maghraby Design House draws inspiration from the city’s heritage and landscape, reflecting its origins as “gardens or meadows” at the juncture of valleys and palm groves. Rooted in the cultural memory of At-Turaif and Al Bujairi heritage, the design seeks to embody the architectural character of the First Saudi State while harmonizing with Riyadh’s rocky plateau setting. It envisions a contemporary identity that honors history, context, and place.
Project Description
[Text as submitted by architect] Historical Background: Riyadh, city and capital of Saudi Arabia. The city’s name is derived from the plural of the Arabic rawdah, meaning gardens or meadows, so named for a natural fertility provided by its location at the juncture of Wadis Hanīfah and Al-Bathā. The city was established in the Yamāmah region on the ruins of the old city of Hajr, which long served as a centre for the trading caravans that traversed the various parts of the Arabian Peninsula. Surrounded by many valleys, the development of the city was enhanced by numerous wells, palm groves, and green areas.
Purpose: The Conceptual design report has been prepared to provide the principles for ensuring a consistent and accurate architectural character inspired from the context and the heritage.
Site Location: Project is located in Riyadh city. The city of Riyadh is located approximately 1,950 feet (600 metres) above sea level in eastern Najd (“Highland”)—a region largely dominated by a rocky plateau landscape—in the centre of the Arabian Peninsula.
Inspiration
At-Turaif Heritage: At-Turaif District in ad-Dir’iyah. This property was the first capital of the Saudi Dynasty, in the heart of the Arabian Peninsula, north-west of Riyadh.
Al Bujairi Heritage: Ad-Dir‘iyah, the capital of the First Saudi State and the birthplace of the Call of Sheikh Mohammad bin Abdulwahhab, formed the foundations of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia established and built by its founder, King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman bin Faisal.
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