Al Hijrah: Air Mobility Hub

Al Hijrah is a 100+ acre vertiport complex proposed for the Al Nuzha District, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, designed to serve the growing demand for urban air mobility along the pilgrim corridor connecting King Abdulaziz International Airport, Makkah, and Madinah. Conceived around a "Desert Oasis" concept, the project merges advanced eVTOL infrastructure with climate-responsive architecture rooted in the region's environmental and cultural identity.

The design integrates a BIPV Mashrabiya hybrid roof lattice that filters harsh desert light while generating solar energy, alongside atmospheric water-harvesting mushroom columns that draw moisture from arid air to support on-site water needs. A butterfly-wing massing strategy shapes the building's form for both aerodynamic efficiency and passive cooling, while flash flood defence systems and grey water recycling address the region's increasing climatic volatility. Piezoelectric tiles embedded across high-footfall zones convert pedestrian movement into usable energy, reinforcing the project's commitment to self-sustaining infrastructure.Positioned as a multimodal transit node, Al Hijrah connects air, ground, and pilgrim transport networks, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030's ambitions for next-generation mobility and the infrastructural demands of the 2034 FIFA World Cup. The project envisions a future where rapid air transit and sacred journey converge efficient, sustainable, and deeply rooted in place.