Desert X AlUla Visitor Centre

Description

The Desert X AlUla Visitor Centre is a modest structure, designed and rapidly built, drawing from two local references: an archetypal walled garden, expressed in the ruled symmetrical geometry and enclosed appearance, and constructive clarity, with spaces appearing to be carved from a solid mass through simple subtractive operations. The Visitor Centre is open: visitors to the landscape and the art will create this experience.

Statement of the jury

The building dazzles with geometrical clarity, making it appear timelessly modern. The space enclosed by architecture conveys a feeling of protection and security, while the extensive, circular cut-out in the ceiling and wide entrances simultaneously suggest a high degree of openness and let the interior merge optically with the external landscape.