Concept
Floating building presenting the Human Rights, shelter from the sun, a square inside a square

Spaces
12 departments, library, exhibition halls, museum, mosque, auditorium, conference rooms,

Client
Human Rights Commission Saudi Arabia

Design Goal
Openness and transparency

Location
Riyadh (Saudi Arabia)

Plot size
41.000 m2

Gross floor area
80.000 m2

Facade
Double skinned

In 2007 Arriyadh Development Authority initiated an international competition for the Headquarters of Human Rights in Arriyadh.
WindStone Architects & Consultants won that competition with an exceptional design combining tradition and progress.

The plot is located in the western part of the city in the district of Diriyah. The shape of the building is based on the Islamic religious symbol of the square inside the square. The building’s orientation and geometry is directed towards Mecca. The building floats above the landscape to provide natural shelter from the sun. Shady spaces occur underneath the construction, being naturally ventilated by a central courtyard. From this shady ground level on, users get access to the transparent mosque of glass and the generous auditorium. Via stairs and lifts they reach the administrative section, a library and an exhibition hall.

An intelligent landscape design creates green gardens and balances the strong geometry of the building, providing a pleasant environment that invites visitors to stay and to enjoy. The two main design goals are openness and transparency.

Extensive use of transparent materials allows inside and outside vistas. The facade is composed of two skins: the primary transparent glass façade and the brise soleil of perforated metal sheet, which provides shelter from the sun.

Contact
WindStone International GmbH
Kaiser-Friedrich-Strasse
10585 Berlin
Germany

Phone
+49 (0) 30-36 70 24 660

Fax
+49 (0) 30-36 70 24 680

Email
info@windstone-international.com

Website
www.windstone-international.com