Azaz Architects

Celebrating a great week of proud announcements! Recently, Azaz Architects has claimed the prestigious Archello Award; in the best international Cafe/ restaurant category. Further, the firm has made it on Architectural Digest Middle East AD100 List for the second year in a row amongst top talents in the region.

The architectural concept for the visitor center project (VIP LOUNGE) is based on a double-skin mass approach. The inner skin is designed to reflect the natural multi-layered travel journey of the surrounding mountains and landscape, creating a sense of harmony and connection between the building’s spaces, functions, and environment. The inner mass, juxtaposed with harsh rocky surfaces and soft glazing, serves as the focal point of the building, drawing visitors in and providing them with an immersive experience that brings them closer to nature. The outer layer, which wraps around the "mountains", serves as a protective box both conceptually and functionally. It symbolically encases and safeguards the valuable natural heritage of the region, while also physically protecting the building from the harsh desert environment. This layer is designed to shade the facades from the intense solar heat in an effort to cool the interior space. It accomplishes these functional objectives while minimizing visual disturbance. The two masses come together in consonance to offer beautifully framed views of the surrounding natural landscape. Overall, the two-layered mass provides a unique and innovative approach to architectural design that combines aesthetic appeal with functionality and sustainability. The building serves as a testament to the beauty and importance of natural heritage while also providing a welcoming space for visitors to rest and refresh.

A journey of discovery: A hidden gem in plain sight. Our latest project, Kimyona , a speakeasy tucked away amongst the monumental skyline of Riyadh. This intervention is an ode to Saudi-modernity. A push of hope, to breathe new life into the looked over architecture of the city. 📸: Mansour Alsofi

يعتبر تصميم مقر شركة سلة الجديد تحية لمجتمع مكة المكرمة، موطن الشركة التقنية الرائدة. بينما تتوافد الشركات الناشئة في المملكة إلى العاصمة، حيث تتنافس على مكان وسط ازدحام، يملك مؤسس سلة رؤية مختلفة. أثناء مقابلة فريق التصميم مع رئيس الشركة، اتضح بسرعة أن هذا المبنى يجب أن يروي قصة. يجب أن يدافع التصميم، في الواقع، عن رغبة سلة في البقاء بمكة المكرمة. بل، يجب أن يكون تصميم المبنى الجديد شاملاً وملهمًا وممكنًا. لذلك صُمم المبنى كمركز لسكان مكة ورواد الأعمال. هو مركز مصدِرًا للإلهام، ومركز لتنمية المبدعين والرواد الطموحين على حد سواء. يستلهم التصميم -القائم على اعادة الاستخدام لمنشأة قائمة - من هوية سلة، وقيمها، وقصتها. تتجلى “سلة” في شكلها الصندوقي في الهيكل الزجاجي. ومن ثم، تلتف طبقة ثانية حول الهيكل لتلين انطباع المبنى، مع خلق شكل فريد لنفسها. تموجات ذلك الغلاف، تخلق فرصًا لتضمين الضوء والظل في الفضاءات الداخلية، مما يرفع تجربة المستخدم. The design for the new Salla Company HQ is an a ode to the community of Mecca, the birthplace of the tech powerhouse. While startups in the Kingdom are flocking to the capital, where companies compete for a place, Salla’s founder has a different vision. As the design team interviewed the head of the company, it quickly became evident that this building needs to tell a story. The design must, in fact, defend Salla’s wish to stay in Mecca. In fact, the new building design should be inclusive, inspiring and enabling. It is a center for Mecca residents and entrepreneurs. It is a dwelling for inspiration, a hub to cultivate creatives and aspiring pioneers alike. The design for this #adaptivereuse, borrows inspiration from Salla’s identity, values and story. Salla - basket in Arabic - is manifested in its’ box-like shape in the glazed structure. A second skin, wrapping around the structure softens the building's impression, while establishing a unique form for itself. The waving skin, creates opportunities to include light and shade to the interior spaces, elevating the user experience. Salla E-Commerce Platform #architecture #adaptivereusearchitecture #design

The home of many doors is an Istiraha prototype that focuses on creating a unique architectural presence for the sub-urban context it sits within. Inspired by the wooden doors that once braced Najdi architecture, this concept hopes to serve a similar demography. A unique circulation path, featuring privacy walls and pocket windows creates a playful journey of travel, discovery, and interaction with local materials and patterns for the getaway house.

Striking the balance that gives a space a sense of character while protecting it’s contemporary identity.

We are looking for talented architects and interior architects to join our Riyadh office. If you are interested in joining, please submit your portfolios for review before March 6th, 2024. Apply here: https://lnkd.in/dMa3fShd *Applications with no portfolio attachments/links will automatically be disqualified.

This proposal aims to create a vibrant public realm. A prototype for what we hope to become the average neighborhood park, connecting residents through shared activities, events, and interactions. It explores a space that is accessible with diverse functions and interactive elements that generate opportunities for visitors to interact with the public domain. The pattern of the master plan is defined by fluid pathways that lead to the greenhouse which acts as a hub area that is surrounded by dine-in and cafe gathering spaces.

Turning the mundane to the extraordinary. FOR THE LOVE OF BRICK: We seek to explore the use of natural, accessible, and more importantly, sustainable materials to answer for design demands. The clay bricks, often overlooked as an architectural material, are embraced in this design. We create screens to protect the interiors from excessive solar gains while offering privacy to the residents. The shadows, cast to the spaces, breathe life into the home as we experience the movement of light throughout the day. 📸: Mansour Alsofi #architecture #claybrick #design