Saudi Voices

Faisal Al Fadl
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Often in our talk of Saudi Arabian market, the role of local consultants gets left behind.

Over the following pages, four Saudi architects give their perspective on the issues facing Saudi Arabian architecture today. From heritage to the lack of industry organisations, these are the issues facing the Saudi market, from the mouths of those who are dealing with them.

Faisal Al Fadl
Faisal Al Fadl is founder of Faisal Al Fadl Associates, an architecture practice based in Riyadh and established in 2000.

He talks to MEA about the fusion of traditional and modern Saudi architecture, looking at modern projects by both local and international firms in the kingdom.

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Do you think the work going on in the kingdom at the moment by international firms captures what Saudi architecture should be?
I think it’s good and bad. It’s good because it helps people from outside the kingdom understand the culture of Saudi Arabia, but unfortunately most companies that come into this environment are totally alien to it, and go with what they know without taking the time to understand the culture and the impact of their projects.

That’s why you see all these buildings that have no identity, and I think this is a loss for both sides. They haven’t really taken the time to really understand the local architecture. Only a few buildings have dialogue with the community.

Could you give me an example?
Well I hate to really point out buildings. All my projects have international teams on them but at the same time all of the team – with my engagement – are always talking about the old and the new, the modern and historic, culture and non-culture fit together. All our work is a mix between modernism and the challenge of technology, versus local identity.

What about projects by other architects? The National Commercial Bank in Jeddah, for example.
Yes, that’s a modern building that took the tradition of the courtyard and they explored it, it’s good. Another good building is Faisaliah Tower, that deals with a lot of things beautifully and it has a lot of traditional elements in it also; it explores tradition.

It’s a good example of where a designer explores tradition, introduces new materials and is then true to the material. It is very sad that you build a modern building and then you put a stucco on it to make it look old. It’s like you’re in Hollywood. It’s like it’s a stage design. It’s not architecture, it’s not exploration, and it’s not creativity.

So how do you make sure that doesn’t happen in Saudi Arabia?
One of the problems is that local companies won’t work with international companies and vice versa. They come to Saudi Arabia to do one project and there’s no continuity in terms of planning and heritage.

But surely the local partner system forces international firms to work with local partners?
Now they do, yes, but typically the international firms take the front end of the project and the locals have to take a back seat. I suppose the idea is that eventually these companies will open offices here, but we have a lot to offer too. We’ve all been trained overseas, and I consider my firm a global firm. There are a lot of Saudi architects out there.