Implementation of conservation & development works in historic Diriyah, a Unesco world heritage site – Saudi Arabia

Project

Implementation of conservation & development works in At-Turaif district in Historic Diriyah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Location

Saudi Arabia

Year

2012 – 2015

Implementation of conservation & development works in At-Turaif district in Historic Diriyah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Project Information

Location: Diriyah – Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Project Surface: 23.5 hectares

Client: ADA (Arriyadh Development Authority)

Main contractor: Freyssinet Saudi Arabia and ICC

Project Partners

Engineering Design and Construction Project Management: Buro Happold
● Architecture & Landscape: ASG Architects + Planners
● Architecture: Tropman & Tropman Architects
● Heritage architects & restoration: CIAH (Centre for Conservation & Preservation of Islamic Architectural Heritage)
● Heritage architects & restoration: Dr. Mahmoud Bendakir (MB Conservation)
● Engineering supervision: Saudi Consulting Services
● Contractors: Freyssinet Saudi Arabia and ICC
● Primary exhibit designers: Studio Adeline Rispal

Project Description

Dr Bendakir was engaged as consultant and permanent member of the site management and supervision team.
The conservation and development project of at-Turaif quarter in Diriyah aims to implement the client’s strategic decisions and a site management plan for heritage conservation, tourist development, and urban management within the World Heritage Site perimeter and in the buffer zone.

The considerable challenge of this project took into consideration the following parameters:
The large scale of the operation that can be considered as a first experience worldwide in the field of earthen conservation and construction
– The complexity of the project, covering urban intervention, landscaping, heritage conservation, archaeological preservation, restoration, adaptive reuse of a large number of monuments, and development, all concurrently
– The future use of this project as a reference in this field and as a basis for standards for similar sites
– The implementation of a large number of projects all together
– The considerable number of stakeholders and partners coming from various cultural and professional horizons
– The extraordinary experience for the national and international scientific community as an opportunity for capacity building and upskilling of professionals and contractors.

More About Project

The considerable challenge of this project took into consideration the following parameters:

The large scale of the operation that can be considered as a first experience worldwide in the field of earthen conservation and construction
The complexity of the project, covering urban intervention, landscaping, heritage conservation, archaeological preservation, restoration, adaptive reuse of a large number of monuments, and development, all concurrently
The future use of this project as a reference in this field and as a basis for standards for similar sites
The implementation of a large number of projects all together
The considerable number of stakeholders and partners coming from various cultural and professional horizons
The extraordinary experience for the national and international scientific community as an opportunity for capacity building and upskilling of professionals and contractors.