A team led by LAVA (Laboratory for Visionary Architecture) has been appointed as the concept master planners for the Expo 2030 Riyadh and its legacy.
Strategically situated between King Salman International Airport and Riyadh City, the master plan for the Expo 2030 Riyadh site is not only designed to host the global event but also to evolve seamlessly into a lasting legacy: a vibrant Global Village focused on retail, dining, and community experiences.
“Expo has always celebrated breakthroughs in science, technology, and cultural understanding. The team at Expo 2030 Riyadh are proud to be working with the world class team of design specialists led by LAVA whose concept master plan reflects this spirit by interpreting the theme of Foresight as a vision for a new way of living for current and future generations”, says Talal Al Marri, CEO, Expo 2030 Riyadh Company.
Together the design team have established the core design principles that underpin the master plan, each one developed with specialist insight and careful attention to place and purpose.
Nature-Led Urban Design
Rather than implementing a conventional urban grid, the master plan leverages the reactivated wadis to create an organic, interconnected network of spaces. This strategy promotes biodiversity, provides shaded pedestrian paths, and supports natural cooling microclimates—essential in managing Riyadh’s desert climate.
Nature-Inspired Regeneration
Drawing inspiration from Saudi Arabia’s unique landscape—particularly its seasonal riverbeds and wadis—the design reimagines and revitalises these natural features, revitalising the site through ecological restoration.
Sustainable Mobility Without Compromise
A state-of-the-art, site-wide mobility system is integrated across the site, preserving the natural corridors. This promotes efficient movement while safeguarding essential green spaces. To improve spatial and environmental performance, the plan uses fractal geometries—an approach that boosts airflow, light distribution, and energy efficiency, while also enhancing the human experience.
Expo 2030’s overarching theme: Foresight for Tomorrow. The result is a new model for urbanism—where culture, nature, and innovation are not only integrated but celebrated.
Design Team
LAVA | Lead Consultant | Architect | Master Planner
LAND Italia | Landscape Architecture
9e Global | Infrastructure, Utilities, MEP Engineering, Structural Engineering ECC & Vertical Assets
Barc Solutions | Acoustics, Audio Visual, Broadcast, ICT, Security and Theatre and Staging
Buro Happold | Governance, Strategic planning, Mobility planning, Crowd modelling, Sustainability and Smart City
Christine Losecaat MBE | Major Events & Expo Advisor
Design Confidence | Accessibility & Fire, Life & Safety
DPA Lighting | Lighting Design
Expo Pavilion Group | Exhibition Design – Icon, Souk and KSA Pavilion
Event Planning Group | Operations Consultants
Gorgeous Group | Hospitality Consultant
LAND Research Lab | Ecosystem Assessment and Parametric Design
Linesight | Cost Consultant
Montana | Hydrology Plan, Waste Management, Environmental Plan, Climate Change Report (contribution with BH)
Omrania | Architect of Record
Plan A | Design Management
REDAS | Transport, Mobility & Logistics Consultant
Samantha Cotterell LLC | Expo Design Strategic Advisor
Schlaich Bergermann Partner (sbp) | Structural Engineer – KSA Pavilion
Space Agency | Wayfinding & Signage
Think Hospitality | Hospitality Consultant
Thornton Tomasetti | Structural Engineer – Icon
Transsolar KlimaEngineering | Climate Engineering
Tricon | F&B Consultant