Roshn Front is an 8-hectare mixed-use retail and lifestyle destination in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, that brings together commerce, community, and climate-adaptive design. Conceived as a vital node in the urban and ecological network envisioned under the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, the project integrates seamlessly with an adjacent 8-hectare commercial and hospitality district and is directly connected to Sedra, a walkable residential neighbourhood developed by ROSHN. Together, they form a 16-hectare urban precinct with landscape at its core.
A kilometre-long, partly covered pedestrian spine forms the heart of the public realm, weaving together terraced water features, gathering plazas, outdoor dining terraces, and green pockets. Designed to mitigate Riyadh’s extreme temperatures, the landscape employs passive cooling strategies such as shallow pools, mature shading trees, overhead shade structures, and the strategic use of building shade to create sheltered gardens. The result is a vibrant public realm that is safe, inclusive and functional in all weather conditions.
The visitor journey begins in a striking xeriscape arrival zone- a sculptural, low-water-demand landscape that evokes the desert’s palette and texture while requiring minimal irrigation. This sets the tone for the site’s broader sustainable ethos. The use of native and climate-adapted species, efficient water strategies, and shaded circulation routes reduces environmental impact while enhancing visual appeal.
The stormwater strategy is equally integral to the landscape design. A sculpted wadi system captures and channels rainwater through the site, working in tandem with dry medians to manage flooding and protect infrastructure during rare but intense seasonal storms. These features demonstrate the multifunctionality of landscape as both a visual and ecological asset and contribute to a growing awareness of resilient and resource-efficient public realm design. Roshn Front’s flood-collection wadis and highway medians are particularly notable. The sculptural xeriscape approach helped influence Riyadh’s wider Green Riyadh urban greening programme.
The public response has been overwhelming. Drawing over 10 million local and international visitors annually, Roshn Front has quickly become one of Riyadh’s most popular urban destinations, playing host to cultural festivals and acting as a key location during Riyadh Season. The project demonstrates how landscape infrastructure can facilitate civic life and social exchange even within a commercial setting. As one visitor remarked:
“[I] always enjoy visiting Roshn Front. The atmosphere here is amazing. When the weather is [good], you can enjoy walking around the outdoor centre. In the summer months, you can walk… inside while still viewing the outside open areas. I can truly say that whoever designed this shopping centre is an absolute genius!”
— Abdulrahman Mirza, Google Reviews
But Roshn Front is not only a lifestyle hub; it is a social and economic catalyst. It provides a platform for local businesses, supports employment, and strengthens civic pride, successfully aligning with the economic and social sustainability goals of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. By blurring the boundary between retail centre and public park, it cultivates connection and belonging in a rapidly evolving urban landscape. It also delivers a safe and inclusive, year-round public realm with equitable step-free access and inclusive parking facilities, creating a comfortable and welcoming environment for all.
In a city where much of the public realm is either climate-controlled or inactive for parts of the year, Roshn Front offers a performative model of outdoor living, where retail, leisure, and landscape are fully interwoven. Its adaptable outdoor framework accommodates seasonal events, daily routines, and unprogrammed leisure, transforming a commercial destination into a civic anchor. As passive cooling, xeriscaping, and layered shading become more common across Riyadh, Roshn Front stands as a visible and influential benchmark in the city’s evolving approach to sustainable, community-focused urban design.
Roshn Front
Location: Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Landscape Architect: Cracknell
Developer: Kaden
Architect Designer: CRTKL
Landscape Lighting: Cracknell
Architectural Lighting Design: CDM/Cracknell
Client: Kaden
Site Owner: ROSHN
Photography by Alessandro Merati ©Cracknell unless otherwise captioned.