Winner of the Honourable Mention for the 2025 WLA Awards in the Concept Private Space category
A precedent-setting entertainment and public realm destination is taking shape in the historic heart of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Arena in Diriyah is a defining component of the greater Diriyah development, which aims to advance the Kingdom’s vision to diversify economically, socially, and culturally. This visionary project is redefining entertainment on a global scale and is a testament to the fusion of cultural reverence, technological advancement, and design excellence.
Situated within the birthplace of Saudi Arabia, the Arena is a cornerstone of Diriyah’s $63 billion development that is propelling the Kingdom into a new era of cultural and economic prosperity. The Arena’s primary function is to serve as a 20,000-seat, multi-purpose/adaptive, reconfigurable venue where people can congregate and celebrate. At the Arena, visitors experience immersive digital technology, high-energy performances, and thrilling sporting events all within a timeless outdoor venue. The Arena’s uses extend beyond high-profile events, serving as an activated public realm. Outside the Arena is the Plaza, a magnetic urban park that hosts live performances and pop-up events. This thoughtful integration strengthens Diriyah’s urban fabric, catalyzing social and economic activities beyond ticketed events.
The landscape design celebrates the power, energy, and movement of water in transforming the land to create a natural setting for the Arena. As the Arena rises from the land, a series of symbolic waterfalls are revealed on its surface. The visual and audible energy from the water serves as an iconic feature, representing the relationship between built spaces and the landscape. The power of water in shaping the land is on display: crevices erode with time; smooth, polished forms shaped by its eloquent flow; the light and reflectivity dance across its surface; and the healing and life it provides for its protected oases.
Rooted in resilience and innovation, the approach to planting and resource management embraces sustainability in one of the world’s most unforgiving climates. The chosen flora reflects a commitment to biodiversity and ecological care, ensuring each species thrives in the arid conditions while minimizing water use. The landscape enhances the site’s microclimate, providing shaded walkways and gathering spaces that encourage visitors to enjoy the Arena’s exterior as much as its interior.
The density and arrangement of vegetation in a naturally occurring desert are dictated by rock features, topography, fertility of low-lying areas, microclimates, and water sources. The species selected for the Arena are organized into specific character palettes for the respective urban, wadi, and oasis typologies of the site. These palettes are supported by a base plant palette used throughout the site to ensure visual continuity and cohesion around the Arena.
Together, the landscape and venue create an immersive environment where performance and public life intersect—supporting not just events, but everyday experiences in the public realm. The Arena positions Saudi Arabia as a premier destination for tourism and entertainment. More
than a venue, it stands as a place where culture, community, and conservation converge, elevating the role of landscape architecture in shaping globally significant destinations.
The Arena in Diriyah
Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Landscape Architect & Civil Engineer: LandDesign
Client: HKS
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