The Urban Heritage Management Center is located in Ad Diriyah, a suburb of the Saudi Arabian capital, Riyadh. The old part of Ad Diriyah, including the at-Tereif citadel, is associated with the history of Saudi statehood and is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. In addition, it is located along the edges of the Wadi Hanifa Valley, an oasis and natural monument that continues further, passing through Riyadh (the total length of the valley is 120 km). Wadi Hanifa was overexploited, but at the beginning of the 21st century, special efforts were made to preserve and restore its ecosystem (for which the authors of the regeneration project, Moriyama & Teshima Planners and Buro Happold, received the Aga Khan Award in 2010).
The future Center is intended to manage the development and popularization of this natural and man-made heritage. Within its walls, on an area of 8780 m2, there will be administrative premises, the main representative office of the Heritage Museum, a permanent exhibition, a library, a lecture hall, educational and research departments.
The project responds to the context: the premises there are organized around an atrium with water components - similar to how the Wadi Hanifa eco-system arose around water bodies. In addition, four "oases" are located in the openings of the facade. The outer, perforated shell of the building protects the interiors from the sun, while maintaining communication with the outside world.
