To do so, we always start by listening to the place, seamlessly weaving the project into the tapestry of the Oasis.
The AlUla Oasis is a rich and elaborate green tapestry. Running on both sides of the wadi on the AlUla Valley floor, the Oasis is punctuated by date palm groves. Some areas are denser, with trees planted in clusters, while other fields have regular rows of well-spaced palms. The diverse cultivation typologies are a testimony to the historical nature of the landscape, that includes both ancient groves and more recent agricultural practices. Different species coexist on the territory, with palm canopies shielding other orchards and lower crops from the sun. From citrus and pomegranates to figs and olive trees, each element shadows and protects what stands beneath it.
The landscape is structured by earthen historical walls defining the agricultural farms. The dense network of souqs, today partially ruined, once linked AlUla’s Old Town to the farms and their gardens: The traces of these ancient walls form the warp of this vegetal carpet. The fabric of the landscape therefore weaves together natural and man-made elements: it is textured with different patterns and densities, it develops in depth, and extends in time, forming an elaborate and precious embroidery.
Our approach aims to respect and work within this complexity, enhancing the texture of the natural and architectural fabric. Aware of the profound responsibility that comes with designing in such a context, we have taken to heart the task of protecting both its tangible and intangible heritage.
Our intention is to ensure that the remnants of the past, however, do not become stiff witnesses to history, but are activated interacting with contemporary life. The design of the project for the Oasis Agricultural Campus seeks to resonate with AlUla’s historical traces: It takes cues from the forms, materials, and practices of its past while being innovative, projecting into the future, and setting a new benchmark in sustainable architectural and agricultural innovation.
To do so, we always start by listening to the place. This means understanding the scale of the rural and urban fabric, to conceive of precise design solutions for every aspect, function and area of the land, seamlessly weaving the project into the tapestry of the Oasis. The buildings will thus integrate in the natural landscape, and the circulation between them and in the farmlands will trace the historic fabric of traditional souqs, ensuring their preservation and maintaining the intrinsic cultivation scale of the territory.
The entire area will be reactivated, not only through the built constructions, but also thanks to a series of public nodes weaving together all the spaces of the Campus. These will dialogue with the existing historic structures, regenerating them without compromising their protection.
Our intention is to ensure that the remnants of the past, however, do not become stiff witnesses to history, but are activated interacting with contemporary life. The design of the project for the Oasis Agricultural Campus seeks to resonate with AlUla’s historical traces: It takes cues from the forms, materials, and practices of its past while being innovative, projecting into the future, and setting a new benchmark in sustainable architectural and agricultural innovation.
To do so, we always start by listening to the place. This means understanding the scale of the rural and urban fabric, to conceive of precise design solutions for every aspect, function and area of the land, seamlessly weaving the project into the tapestry of the Oasis. The buildings will thus integrate in the natural landscape, and the circulation between them and in the farmlands will trace the historic fabric of traditional souqs, ensuring their preservation and maintaining the intrinsic cultivation scale of the territory.
The entire area will be reactivated, not only through the built constructions, but also thanks to a series of public nodes weaving together all the spaces of the Campus. These will dialogue with the existing historic structures, regenerating them without compromising their protection.
A place, however, is mainly made of people. Listening to their stories, their needs and expectations is key to start any design activity. At Kéré Architecture, we always engage with the community of users in a participatory process, in order to design with and for the people that will later take ownership of the spaces.
A dialogue with the local inhabitants of the Oasis and the city of AlUla Central has been launched early on in the process. This community-driven approach allows us to conceive of socially sustainable projects that integrate in the context with delicacy, putting people at the centre.
Listening to the place also entails engaging with all aspects of the local building practices, from local resources to typical construction techniques, and deeply understand the cultural knowledge embedded in the land, to provide a design response grounded in its territory.
A dialogue with the local inhabitants of the Oasis and the city of AlUla Central has been launched early on in the process. This community-driven approach allows us to conceive of socially sustainable projects that integrate in the context with delicacy, putting people at the centre.
Listening to the place also entails engaging with all aspects of the local building practices, from local resources to typical construction techniques, and deeply understand the cultural knowledge embedded in the land, to provide a design response grounded in its territory.
The AlUla Oasis is a living tapestry, weaving together ancient groves new cultivation, and the rhythms of nature.
AlUla’s Old Town is full of inspirational insights. Its vernacular buildings are mainly made of sun-dried adobe bricks, earthen plaster, local stone, timber and palm tree leaves. Everything is built following passive architectural strategies, out of clay and local materials, with a design that aligns with nature.
Clay construction is an age-old technique typical of the vernacular architecture of Saudi Arabia. At Kéré Architecture, we have been concerned with the enhancement of clay construction for decades, especially in West Africa.
In many occasions, we have reintroduced this inherently sustainable way of building in places where it had been cast aside in favour of more “modern” but much more invasive materials.
It is not about returning to outdated techniques, but about reinterpreting them for contemporary uses, revealing that clay is a material that belongs to the future, much more than many others.
Clay construction is an age-old technique typical of the vernacular architecture of Saudi Arabia. At Kéré Architecture, we have been concerned with the enhancement of clay construction for decades, especially in West Africa.
In many occasions, we have reintroduced this inherently sustainable way of building in places where it had been cast aside in favour of more “modern” but much more invasive materials.
It is not about returning to outdated techniques, but about reinterpreting them for contemporary uses, revealing that clay is a material that belongs to the future, much more than many others.
For AlUla’s Oasis Agricultural Campus, we take cues from the valuables lessons of the past to develop solutions suited to the needs and challenges of today.
We are currently studying different clay construction techniques, each specifically designed for the precise situation in which it will be used. This will entail the coexistence of different appearances, tones and feelings: From raw and natural textures to more processed finishes, creating a visual and tactile journey that will resonate with the precious historical traces woven in AlUla’s architectural fabric.
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