Architecture studio HKS has unveiled plans for The Arena in Diriyah, a 20,000-seat venue for sports and entertainment in Saudi Arabia that references the country's traditional architecture.
Designed by HKS for developer Diriyah Company, the arena will be located in the town of Diriyah and intended as a "tourism hallmark" that helps draw visitors to the region.
This is hoped to promote cultural and economic growth in line with the Saudi Vision 2030 ? a plan to diversify the country's economy to reduce its dependence on oil.
HKS has designed a multipurpose arena in Diriyah
The 76,000-square-metre arena will be arranged into monolithic volumes decorated with luminous triangular perforations, angular openings and decorative detailing reminiscent of the country's traditional Najdi architecture. Between the volumes, HKS has designed a series of "digital waterfalls" ? jagged, transparent facades that will emit light from the interior.
This glowing effect is hoped to transform the arena into a beacon, encouraging visitors inside.
Monolithic volumes will be decorated with triangular perforations
"The architecture rises from the landscape as a series of monoliths, evoking local geological formations and alluding to ancient Nadji forts and palaces," said lead architect Alex Thomas.
"Digital waterfalls animated by light glow between them. The visual energy of the waterfalls serves as a beacon drawing guests to the dynamic experience inside."

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