Architecture as a Facilitator “Saudi Art District”

Abstract

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is going through a major social paradigm shift in the current year due to the new Vision 2030 which aims to reduce the Kingdoms dependency on oil and transform itself into a tourist hub. By pushing the boundaries of the local culture and traditions the Visions aim is moving towards a more progressive state which will cater to people all around the world. As the change happens, many are worried about what will happen to the years of culture and image the Saudi Kingdom has portrayed and how it will affect the future generations of a society whose morals are built on a strict following of the religion of islam. As such this project aims to provide a space catering to the paradigm shift, where everyone can gather in a specially designed space to celebrate the changes and provide a platform for all those who have been underground to rise up and showcase their talents in a Kingdom where they are now going to be heard. And to further exemplify the culture of a nation whose identity slowly being scraped away due to westernization. The idea, therefore, is to form a program as well as a design a space which will cater to the current and rising need of the Kingdom’s public interaction areas while majorly focusing on the “arts” culture, which has been missing from the country’s social scene for so long.