Landscape Architecture
Retail
Project Solitaire is set to become an iconic retail destination for Saudi Arabia. Breaking with the traditional Riyadhi shopping mall typology, Solitaire will provide a dynamic, open-air environment complete with retail streets, plazas, boutiques and an elevated roof garden, with landscaping at its core. But in a constrained site and sweltering desert heat, how would we create a lush and sustainable outdoor environment?
In our landscape design strategy, we selected drought-tolerant plant species, such as acacia and frangipani, to help reduce the overall irrigation load. We also proposed sustainable cooling wind towers and water features to maintain amenable temperatures throughout the site’s interior. And we deployed traditional brickwork structures to help maximise airflow, tailoring all our design interventions to the climatic and cultural context of this remarkable new development.
Project Solitaire will deliver a verdant, temperate and thrilling retail experience in the heart of the Saudi desert. Our proposed passive cooling structures will move rather than chill the air, producing a sustainable alternative to energy intensive air conditioning. Enticing water features will also contribute to cooling with their fine mist. Meanwhile, our astute plant selection will maximise the green experience without compromising comfort or footfall, helping to ensure the aesthetic and economic viability of the project. And the use of open-weave brickwork will allow for a constant flow of air through the site’s basement levels, helping to keep visitors cool even at the hottest hours of the day.
