2023

DGDA

Bait Al Rawi

Bait Al Rawi is one of three visitor centres in The Journey of 100 Stories, a cultural network across Diriyah Gate.

Bait Al Rawi is one of three visitor centres in The Journey of 100 Stories, a cultural network across Diriyah Gate. It’s more than just a starting point for a tour; it’s a storytelling hub. Visitors are welcomed, guided, and immersed in stories that connect them to Saudi history, identity, and place. The building itself is part of the story.

This is not a museum trying to look old. It is a living space created to carry Najdi stories forward. Architecture, craft, and narrative come together to preserve what matters. The design does not copy the past; it listens to it and lets it speak through every wall, ceiling, and doorway.

The interiors use traditional materials such as adobe, Riyadh stone, timber, and woven textiles, each chosen for its cultural meaning. These materials are not simply left in their original form. They are refined with modern techniques like 3D carving, water-jet stone cuts, and precise joinery. The result is a quiet conversation between the past and the future.

"A sanctuary shaped by stillness and sun—where Najdi geometry, earthen materials, and desert light converge in quiet, restorative presence."

Every space is designed to tell a story. Majlis-style gathering areas invite you to sit and listen. Ceilings look traditional but include modern lighting and systems. Doors and woodwork reflect old craftsmanship, but with new precision. Patterns, textures, and light follow Najdi geometry, serving a purpose beyond decoration.

Bait Al Rawi does not try to freeze time. It celebrates continuity, with stories that grow, change, and stay alive. The design makes space for the future while holding on to the past. It is not about recreating history, but about letting it breathe in a place that feels both familiar and new.

Inspiration and Use of Reference Imagery

Our work draws inspiration from the world around us, including urban environments, digital platforms, social media, and other publication and or accessible sources. We make every reasonable effort to identify and credit original authors and creators where possible. In cases where the original source cannot be determined, this is entirely unintentional. All mood boards and reference imagery are used strictly for internal inspiration to help define the atmosphere, tone, and conceptual direction. We do not intend to replicate, copy, or otherwise infringe upon the intellectual property rights of any author, artist, or creator. Such images are not used for commercial purposes, but solely as non-commercial visual references to guide our creative process.