Dewan appointed as lead design consultant for Qiddiya Water Theme Park
Multidiscipline design firm has successfully delivered the design of the water park and is now supervising its physical construction at the heart of Qiddiya in KSA
Dewan Architects + Engineers has been appointed as the lead design consultant for the recently announced Qiddiya Water Theme Park, which is one of the flagship projects in Qiddiya, Saudi Arabia’s disruptive and futuristic destination.
In a statement, Dewan said that it has successfully delivered the design of the water park and is now supervising the physical construction of the landmark development. The firm is working with a large team of renowned water theme park experts, ride vendors, engineering and infrastructure professionals, it added.
Qiddiya is set to be home to several innovative and immersive experiences offering sports and wellness, nature and environment, parks and attractions, motion and mobility, as well as arts and culture, making the destination a capital of entertainment, sports and arts for both Saudi Arabia and the region. It is located close to Riyadh, the Kingdom’s capital.
The water park will be at the heart of Qiddiya’s attractions and will cover an area of 337,948sqm. It will contain 22 rides, nine of which will be ‘world-firsts’, Dewan said. There are nine distinct districts, each inspired by native animals and habitats, including Camel Rock, the Den, the Herding Grounds, and Arabian Peak.
Qiddiya Water Theme Park will be bigger than any such water park in the world, the firm added. Budgeted to cost in the region of $750 million, the park is part of the overall giga-project and will utilise smart technology to ensure that its operation aligns with sustainability efforts.
Dewan said that it is using highly advanced environmental systems that will allow them to use 75% less water than traditional practices, while efficient technologies to reduce evaporation concerns have also been considered. Furthermore, the park will have state-of-the-art facilities to host world water tournaments.
Ammar Al Assam, CEO of Dewan Architects + Engineers said: “We are extremely proud to contribute to Qiddiya and the Kingdom with the delivery of the design of this once-in-a-lifetime project. The firm is fully committed to HH Mohamed Bin Salman’s 2030 vision and look forward to further growing and development our footprint in the Kingdom”.
Qiddiya is located at the heart of the Tuwaiq Escarpment Environmental Reserve and Dewan is working closely with the Qiddiya Investment Company to be mindful as they create the destination. Their actions are held accountable for protecting various ecosystems, their natural inhabitants, the future of the environment and new generations of visitors, the statement added.
His Royal Highness Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs and the Qiddiya Board of Directors, as part of Vision 2030, announced a blueprint for the long-term prosperity for the site, part of which is economic diversification and increasing the household spend on domestic leisure and entertainment.
Since establishing their first office in Abu Dhabi in 1984, Dewan has been integral in imagining diverse landscapes, enhanced cities, and suburban communities throughout the Middle East. Dewan’s Riyadh office was established in 2008 and has since grown to be a leader in delivering sustainable, culturally sensitive, and performance-based architecture across the Kingdom.
The multidisciplinary design team excels at managing complex and demanding projects of all sizes and aims to contribute to and improve the communities they exist within. They continually highlight and encourage an architect’s role to create thriving societies, the statement concluded.
