London-based Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) says it has won a design competition for the Urban Heritage Administration Centre in Diriyah, on the outskirts of the Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh.
The Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage had last year organised a competition to select the designer for the 8,780 sqm head office of the Heritage Museum.
The Centre will feature a permanent exhibition gallery, library, lecture hall and educational spaces for all age groups, as well as a scientific institution for conducting field research and documentation of the many archaeological sites in Diriyah.
According to a ZHA spokesperson, the centre’s design is intended to engage with the geography, terrain and culture of the historical town of Diriyah and its surroundings.
The centre’s façades will reflect the surroundings and culture of the historically significant desert oasis town, the original home of the Kingdom’s Al Saud Royal Family, the spokesperson added.
Zaha Hadid, the celebrated architect and founder of the studio, died in March.