A Cultural Landmark by the Red Sea // AB+AC Architects

Different design elements and fine details are put in place to stimulate the senses and provoke emotions in the spectator. The role of architecture is not only to provide a physical space for its users but also to improve their emotional well-being.

Within the context of recent years, KSA is undertaking a multitude of investments to improve its cities, enhance its built history and traditions, and attract a wider international community. With this in mind, AB+AC Architects proposes the design of a meditation space located along the Red Sea coastline of KSA that would serve as a catalyst for culture and tourism.

The aim is to use architecture to create contemporary land art, inviting visitors to have a genuine experience while connecting with nature, beauty, and themselves. 

A couple of hours away from AlUla - UNESCO's first World Heritage Site in the country - this project focuses on highlighting the rich landscape heritage that Saudi Arabia has to offer along its coastline. It tells the story of a region that was once a meeting point for various civilizations, leaving behind a significant heritage.

The concept of this cultural landmark was inspired by the many natural sea caves that attract millions of tourists from all over the world every year. The manmade structure is a monumental portal made of concrete mixed with local earth, connecting the Red Sea to the inland territory. Visitors can access the centre on foot or via sea, and they will find that the manmade architecture of this meditation space integrates harmoniously with the natural heritage, allowing the local vegetation to flourish.

The roof, which has a few skylights pierced into it, is the perfect place to take a walk when the sun is getting ready to set. The entrance hall gives you a hint of what the rest of the building will be like, with rooms in the shape of half domes, textured walls made from sand found in the area, and paintings that change with the desert sky.

This organization of rooms all leading to one central space is not only practical but also allows for the creation of a meditative ambience. The amphitheatre at the edge of the building overlooks a natural pool of seawater, providing a place for visitors to sit and reflect. The beneficial aspects of architecture like this one are unquestionable; it protects from the heat and cools through the water.