In the Saudi desert, precisely between the rocks and the landscape of Al Ula, KWY.studio has designed a center for the reception of visitors and tourists.
The Desert X Al Ula Visitor Centre is located just a few steps away from the first UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hegra, where you can still visit the remains of the capital of the ancient Nabeths. Given the morphology of the area and the fact that the city and especially its temples have been carved into the rock, Herga is known by many as the Arab Petra.
Every year millions of tourists from all over the world visit this unique site and, precisely for this reason, KWY.studio has thought to create a place for refreshment and to enjoy the landscape comfortably seated in the shade.
The Desert X Al Ula Visitor Centre takes the form of closed courtyards or walled date plantations typical of this region. From the outside, in fact, the structure looks like a closed parallelepiped, minimal and angular, which with its white stands out among the red rocks.
Once inside, instead, the structure allows us to enjoy the landscape from every point of view, thanks to the two opposite entrances and the few windows, but wisely positioned. The pride of this project is the circular opening in the roof, which allows sunlight to enter and therefore almost no need for artificial lighting and offers visitors an unparalleled panorama. The circular section perfectly frames the deep blue sky and the high rock walls.
The Desert X Al Ula Visitor Centre is a true oasis in the desert, offering refreshment while maintaining a close link with the landscape.
