Qiddiya announces Global Design Exploration for 20+ architects to design iconic assets

Twenty-one architects have been approached to work on the Qiddiya giga project in Saudi Arabia to date, including nine US firms: HOK, Populous, Arquitectonica, Morphosis, Asymptote, 5+, CallisonRTKL, Rossetti Architects and Rockwell Group.

The Master Plan for the project, created in conjunction with Bjarke Ingles Group (BIG), a Denmark-based company, was constructed with careful consideration to the natural patterns that have been etched on the site throughout history, giving rise to a green-belt network carrying visitors throughout the property on roads, bike paths and walkways built within an enhanced landscape environment.

According to The Architects Newspaper, WilkinsonEyre, Mangera Yvars Architects, Steve Chilton Architects, from the United Kingdom; Coop Himmelb(l)au from Germany; 10 Design from Hong Kong; as well as Saudi-based design studios Dar Al Omran and X Architects comprise the remaining architects involved on this giga-project.

Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC) is backing the project, which will be located 40km outside of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s capital.

Qiddiya is set to become the Kingdom’s “Capital of Entertainment, Sports and the Arts” with facilities and experiences that will bring together new opportunities and exposure at a scale and format never before seen. By bringing together the elements for an active, healthy and ambitious lifestyle, Qiddiya will generate enormous economic opportunity, and thousands of new jobs that will catalyse the development of new sectors, contributing to a diversified and prosperous economy”.

About QIC

QIC was incorporated on 10th May, 2018, as a closed joint-stock company wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia. It will drive the development of Qiddiya, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s pre-eminent multifaceted entertainment destination, home of inspiration, discovery and engagement.

Announced by His Royal Highness Mohammad bin Salman, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs and of PIF, on 7th April, 2017, Qiddiya is a transformational project that will be built 40km from downtown Riyadh, with a total area of 334sqkm, a third of which will be developed.

Visitors will enjoy access to a range of diverse activities and services across five innovatively designed cornerstones: Sports & Wellness; Nature & Environment; Parks & Attractions; Motion & Mobility; and Arts & Culture. The development of these areas will give rise to: high-end theme parks; water and snow-based activities; numerous sports arenas capable of hosting international competitions and world-class training academies; race tracks for motorsport enthusiasts; outdoor and adventure activities alongside nature and environment experiences; and an array of historical, cultural and educational activities and events.

Qiddiya will also include a variety of real estate options and community services. A core element of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, Qiddiya will unlock tremendous opportunity, enabling economic diversification, while enhancing the quality of life for Saudi citizens.

The project broke ground on 28th April, 2018, with phase one set to open in 2022. A three-phased approach is currently underway for the entire project. 2019 will see the launch of the Visitor Experience Centre, the reveal of the masterplan, as well as the start of construction for phase one.

Qiddiya Awards Contract for Construction of On-Site Offices

QIC, the entity leading the development of the Kingdom’s capital of entertainment, sports, culture and the arts, has started the process of building offices on-site, as the development of the destination gets underway.

QIC has signed a contract with DuBox, a member of Amana Group, after the successful completion of a competitive bid process, to build a 2,000-square metre building on the Qiddiya site.

Michael Reininger, Chief Executive Officer of Qiddiya Investment Company, said:

Having announced our master plan this month, we are taking rapid next steps to begin construction of our on-site offices. We are delighted to be working with an esteemed regional company like Amana and look forward to seeing our site offices progress.

With a capacity of 100 people, the building will act as temporary office space while Qiddiya is being constructed, allowing the project’s development team to have a base on site as well as in Qiddiya’s city centre HQ. The offices will feature modern amenities and will be designed in line with Qiddiya’s environmental and sustainability principles.

Chebel Bsaibes, Chairman of Amana Group, said:

85% of the concrete building will be manufactured, in a concrete volumetric modular fully finished units, offsite at DuBox factory. Building will be fully fitted-out and furnished, ready for occupancy within a period of 180 days. Amana/DuBox thanks QIC for the opportunity to assist QIC in its environmental and sustainability initiative.

Sources: https://archpaper.com/?s=qiddiya and https://www.qiddiya.com/en

Images, courtesy: Qiddiya

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