RIYADH PALACE

Status: Under Construction

We were approached by a high ranking member of the Saudi Royal Family to design his 8,000 m2 residence on the outskirts of Riyadh. The palace consists of three distinct programs: the Family building, the Women’s Majles and the Men’s Majles.

Each of these programs were required to function completely independently from one another, whilst maintaining a central service core to serve each of these programs at basement level. Here, all distribution logistics of food and energy throughout the entire building were controlled, connecting with smaller, localized distribution points within each separately programmed building. An internal road network driven by electric carts allows for quick access to all individual cores and guarantees quality and service to all inhabitants and visitors.

The building flows along the site, mimicking the sand dunes of the Saudi deserts, with domed elipsoid roofs covered in ceramic hexagon shaped tiles. The underside of the domes are clad in timber, toning down the brightness of the sun, allowing for large exterior shaded spaces for social events and family gatherings.

Walls are finished in black opaque glass with vertical timber louvers, expressing the curvatures and fluidity of the residence throughout the site. Also in the residence are found: a restaurant, an interior lake, a cave with swimming pool, a spa with sauna, steam rooms, a hamame spa, a gymnasium and theatre room.