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Arab News
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Saudi Arabia makes a splash at London Design Biennale
DHAHRAN: Saudi Arabia is presenting 'Good Water' at the London Design Biennale, which runs until June 29 at the UK capital's Somerset House. The Saudi National Pavilion — commissioned by the Architecture and Design Commission supported by the Ministry of Culture, and presented under the leadership of commission CEO Sumayah Al-Solaiman — examines water systems, accessibility, equity and scarcity. 'In a biennale that explores the intersection of inner experiences and external influences, 'Good Water' reflects the spirit of inquiry we hope to share with the world,' Al-Solaiman said in a statement. 'With this pavilion, we are proud to support the next generation of Saudi practitioners and provide platforms that amplify their voices on the international stage.' The pavilion's design team - Clockwise from top left - Dur Kattan, Aziz Jamal, Fahad bin Naif, and Alaa Tarabzouni. (Supplied) Saudi artists Alaa Tarabzouni, Dur Kattan, Fahad bin Naif and Aziz Jamal worked as co-curators, collaborating across various disciplines. 'In this team, we don't have specific roles,' Jamal told Arab News. 'We all collaborated on everything. For example, the video, we all shot together — we all wrote together. We all have different backgrounds in the arts sector but we've worked together (in the Saudi art scene) for the past five years; it's more of a democratic process and there's no strict guidelines.' At the heart of 'Good Water' is the sabeel, a traditional water fountain usually placed and funded privately in a shaded outdoor communal space. It is meant for use by anyone in the community, free of charge. The sabeel is an enduring symbol of hospitality and generosity, deeply rooted in the Arabian Peninsula and found in many spots throughout the Middle East. A sabeel fountain in Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Aziz Jamal - Courtesy of the Architecture and Design Commission) 'Growing up in Dhahran, you would see sabeels everywhere. Our house didn't have one, but there was a mosque in front of our house that had one,' Jamal said. The London installation strips the sabeel of nostalgia and recenters it as a contemporary, working object. Visitors are invited to fill their cups as they pause to reflect on the often unseen systems, labor and energy that make the flowing 'free' water possible. Stacks of paper cups will be provided, bearing the message 'Good Water: 500 ml = one AI prompt' in vibrant color. There will also be refillable water bottles so spectators can have a 'water-cooler moment' to chat, sip and ponder. The pavilion also features four short videos filmed at an old water factory in Riyadh, showing the painstaking journey of water from droplet to distribution. The screens trace the production process across different sizes of bottles. Jamal's relationship with water has shifted since he started working on this project. A water delivery truck in Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Aziz Jamal - Courtesy of the Architecture and Design Commission) 'I have to say, going to visit the water factory (in Riyadh) and seeing the enormous effort that it takes to fill up one tiny water bottle, you don't take that effort for granted anymore, because it's not just a matter of getting the water filled up; it's testing it, going through inspection, doing all the mineral checks,' he said. 'Before, if there was a little bit of water in my water bottle, I'd just leave it, but now I make it a point to drink (it) all … to finish the bottle. It has made me more conscious of every drop.' Jamal's aim is for visitors to the pavilion to reach that same realization. 'What I really hope for is for people to interact with the piece,' he said. 'We want that act of generosity to come through and we want people to drink the water.' He noted that the sabeel in London will dispense locally sourced water, not imported. A catalogue written by the curators will also be available, offering further context in the form of essays, research material and images of water infrastructure and sabeels from across the Middle East and North Africa region. Saudi Arabia is one of the most water-scarce countries in the world and the largest producer of desalinated water globally, supplying over 60 percent of its potable water, according to the Saudi Pavilion team's research. 'We thought (the sabeel) was a perfect symbol of the attitude and the general principle behind this concept of water as a human right and not as a luxury,' Jamal said. 'It's free drinking water, but it's from a private source. So we felt it really encompassed this phenomenon of paying it forward and offering water to people who don't have access to it.' With 'Good Water,' the Saudi National Pavilion puts this scarcity — and the labor behind everyday hydration — center stage. 'Our research was about water and access to water,' Jamal explained. 'When we were first conceptualizing the piece for the London Biennale, we were looking at the infrastructure and water and access and what's the hidden cost of free water in Saudi — and specifically looking at the objective of a sabeel: What does this act of generosity and act of making water into a human right mean? And what is the hidden cost of that?' Though the widespread distribution of plastic bottles has displaced the sabeel to some extent, Jamal emphasized its enduring relevance, especially in a country with scorching summers and sizeable outdoor workforces. 'People are on the go, so they need something convenient,' he said. 'I don't think water bottles have killed off sabeels completely. A lot of the workforce in Saudi still use it all the time. It's not just drinking water, it's cold drinking water, and in Saudi that's very important.'
Arab News
05-06-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Saudi pavilion makes a splash at London Design Biennale
DHAHRAN: 'Good Water,' the Saudi National Pavilion that reimagines our relationship with water, is sure to be popular with visitors at the London Design Biennale, which opens today. For the latest updates, follow us on Instagram @ Examining water systems, accessibility, equity and scarcity, the pavilion was commissioned by the Architecture and Design Commission and supported by the Ministry of Culture. Presented under the leadership of commission CEO Sumayah Al-Solaiman, it marks the fourth time the Kingdom has taken part in the event. A post shared by London Design Biennale (@londondesignbiennale) 'In a Biennale that explores the intersection of inner experiences and external influences, 'Good Water' reflects the spirit of inquiry we hope to share with the world,' said Al-Solaiman. 'With this pavilion, we are proud to support the next generation of Saudi practitioners and provide platforms that amplify their voices on the international stage.' Saudi artists Alaa Tarabzouni, Dur Kattan, Fahad bin Naif and Aziz Jamal worked as co-curators, collaborating across various disciplines. 'In the team, we don't have specific roles,' Jamal told Arab News. 'We all collaborated on everything. So the video, we all shot together — we all wrote together. We all have different backgrounds in the arts sector but we've worked together (in the Saudi art scene) for the past five years and that's actually how we came together; it's more of a democratic process and there's no kind of strict guidelines.' At the heart of the Saudi contribution in London is the sabeel, a traditional water fountain usually placed and funded privately in a shaded outdoor communal space. It is meant for use by anyone in the community, free of charge. The sabeel is an enduring symbol of hospitality and generosity, deeply rooted in the Arabian Peninsula and found in many spots throughout the Middle East. 'Growing up in Dhahran, you would see sabeels everywhere. Our house didn't have one, but there was a mosque in front of our house that had one,' Jamal said. The London installation strips the sabeel of nostalgia and re-centers it as a contemporary, working object. Visitors are invited to fill their cups — literally and figuratively, as they pause to reflect on the often unseen systems, labor and energy that make the flowing 'free' water possible. Stacks of paper cups will be provided, bearing the message 'Good Water: 500 ml = one AI prompt' in vibrant color. There will also be refillable water bottles so spectators can have a 'water-cooler moment' to chat, sip and ponder. The pavilion also features four videos, filmed at an old water factory in Riyadh, showing the painstaking journey of water from droplet to distribution. The screens trace the production process across different sizes of bottles, with each film lasting under 10 minutes. Jamal's relationship with water shifted since he started working on this project. 'I have to say, watching and going to visit the water factory (in Riyadh) and seeing the enormous effort that it takes to fill up one tiny water bottle — you don't take that effort for granted anymore,' he said. 'Before, if there was a little bit of water in my water bottle, I would just leave it, but now it's like, I make it a point to drink (it) all … to finish my water bottle, because it's not just a matter of just getting the water filled up, it's testing it, going through inspection, doing all the mineral checks. It has made me more conscious of every drop.' Jamal's aim is for visitors to the pavilion to quench their thirst with that same realization. 'What I really hope for is for people to interact with the piece,' he said. 'We want that act of generosity to come through and we want people to drink the water.' The eco-conscious will be glad to know the sabeel will dispense locally sourced water — not any transported from Riyadh. It will also be indoors. A printed catalogue written by the curators will also be available, offering further context in the form of essays, research material and images of water infrastructure and sabeels from across the Middle East and North Africa region. Saudi Arabia is one of the most water-scarce countries in the world. Only 2.5 percent of the world's water is freshwater, and even less is accessible for drinking. The Kingdom is the largest producer of desalinated water globally, supplying over 60 percent of its potable water, according to the Saudi Pavilion team's research. 'We thought (the sabeel) was a perfect anecdote to describe the attitude and the general principle behind this concept of water as a human right and not as a luxury,' Jamal said. 'It's free drinking water, but it's from a private source. So we felt it really encompassed this specific phenomenon in Saudi, of paying it forward and offering water to people who don't have access to it.' With 'Good Water,' the Saudi National Pavilion puts this scarcity — and the labor behind everyday hydration — center stage. 'Our research was about water and access to water,' Jamal added. 'When we were first conceptualizing the piece for the London Biennale, we were looking at the infrastructure and water and access and what's the hidden cost of free water in Saudi — and specifically looking at the object(ive) of a sabeel: What does this act of generosity and act of making water into a human right mean, and what is the hidden cost of that?' Though the widespread distribution of plastic bottles has displaced the sabeel to some extent, Jamal emphasized its enduring relevance, especially in a country with scorching summers and large outdoor workforces. 'I think people are on the go, so they need something convenient, but I think water bottles haven't killed off sabeels completely,' he said. 'A lot of the workforce in Saudi, who have more direct contact under the sun and the streets — they still use it all the time. It's not just drinking water — it's cold drinking water, and in Saudi that's very important.' Jamal joked that after nearly a year of working on this project, the team would raise a glass of water in celebration. The pavilion will be open until June 29 at Somerset House.
Arab News
27-05-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Saudi pavilion at Osaka Expo wins architectural design award
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai has won gold in the Cultural Architecture — Interactive and Experiential Spaces category of the New York Architectural Design Awards. The pavilion, which offers visitors an immersive experience and insight into the Kingdom's heritage, was spearheaded by the Saudi Architecture and Design Commission and led by CEO Dr. Sumayah Al-Solaiman and project manager Fatima Al-Doukhi. Also involved in the design were the renowned Foster + Partners. The design highlights the cultural similarities between Saudi Arabia and Japan while focusing on sustainability, employing passive cooling strategies enhanced by strategically placed blocks to facilitate air flow. The pavilion features low-carbon materials, energy-efficient lighting and solar energy technologies. It also includes Braille signage and pathways for visitors with disabilities, making the building accessible for all. Saudi Arabia's pavilion has already attracted over half a million visitors since its launch on April 13. It has also hosted over 175 events, including cultural performances, business events, media and over 400 VIP delegations.
Arab News
27-05-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Saudi Pavilion at Osaka Expo wins New York Architectural Design Awards
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai was awarded the Gold Prize in the Cultural Architecture – Interactive and Experiential Spaces category by the New York Architectural Design Awards. For the latest updates, follow us on Instagram @ The prize recognizes the pavilion's design and architecture, which offers visitors an immersive experience and insight into Saudi Arabia's heritage. According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the pavilion was spearheaded by the Saudi Architecture and Design Commission and was led by CEO Dr. Sumayah Al-Solaiman and Project Manager Fatima Al-Doukhi. It was also designed by the renowned global firm Foster + Partners. The design highlights the cultural similarities between the kingdom and Japan, while focusing on sustainability, employing passive cooling strategies enhanced by the strategic placement of structural blocks to facilitate wind movement. The pavilion features low-carbon materials, energy-efficient lighting and solar energy technologies, SPA reported. It also features Braille signage and pathways for visitors with disabilities, making the building accessible and inclusive. Saudi Arabia's pavilion has already attracted over half a million visitors since its launch on April 13. It has also hosted over 175 events, including cultural performances, business events, media and over 400 VIP delegations.
Asharq Al-Awsat
26-05-2025
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Pavilion at Expo Osaka 2025 Wins New York Architectural Design Award
Saudi Arabia's pavilion at Expo Osaka 2025 in Japan has been awarded the Gold Prize in the Cultural Architecture – Interactive and Experiential Spaces category by the prestigious New York Architectural Design Awards. The accolade recognizes the pavilion's architectural excellence and its innovative design that embodies the spirit of Saudi culture through a rich, immersive visitor experience. Spearheaded by the Saudi Architecture and Design Commission, the pavilion was led by CEO Dr. Sumayah Al-Solaiman and Project Manager Fatima Al-Doukhi, and designed by the renowned global firm Foster + Partners. The structure offers a sensory journey that begins with an outer courtyard leading into a central inner courtyard. It serves as a contemplative space inspired by the cultural and urban diversity of Saudi Arabia's cities and regions. Throughout the six-month duration of the Expo, the pavilion will also function as a dynamic venue for performances and cultural programming. Reflecting the architectural essence of Saudi villages and cities, the design fosters a spirit of discovery while highlighting cultural parallels between Saudi Arabia and Japan. It also prioritizes sustainability, employing passive cooling strategies enhanced by the strategic placement of structural blocks to facilitate wind movement. The building incorporates low-carbon materials, energy-efficient lighting, and solar energy technologies, aligning with both international and Japanese sustainability standards. Accessibility and inclusivity are central to the pavilion's mission. It features Braille signage, accessible pathways for visitors with disabilities, and interactive elements designed to accommodate a wide range of needs. A standout feature of the design is its modular façade, which uses Voronoi diagrams to create striking visual patterns. The façade is fully reconfigurable, enhancing the structure's architectural adaptability and impact while maintaining harmony with the environment. The pavilion has attracted over half a million visitors, engaging audiences with a vibrant representation of Saudi culture and innovation. The Kingdom's participation in Expo Osaka 2025 reflects its growing global cultural presence and its commitment to fostering creative exchanges that bridge tradition and modernity on the world stage.
