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MONOGRAPH 03 / 26°37'N 37°55'E

Wadi Pavilion

AlUla Valley, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia — Completed 2024

Wadi Pavilion weathered steel and limestone cantilever structure in desert canyon
Typology
Landscape Pavilion & Research Hub
Location
AlUla, Saudi Arabia
Gross Built Area
420 m² (4,520 sq ft)
Completion
2024
Structural Engineering
Arkan Practice + Bollinger Tectonic
Primary Material
Weathered Corten Steel & Dry Limestone
Status
Built
Photography
Studio Monograph Archive

A surgical intervention in an ancient desert gorge, balancing a heavy cantilevered steel plane against traditional dry-stone retaining mass.

Geological Topography: Situated at the meeting point of two natural desert water channels (wadis), the structure serves as a shaded observation post and field research center. The building foundation is pinned into solid sandstone bedrock with zero disturbance to the surrounding dry canyon flora.

Tectonic Steel Cantilever: An angled, 14-meter cantilevered plate of thick oxidized steel extends over the canyon drop, functioning both as a thermal umbrella and an unencumbered panoramic viewing deck. The raw oxidation patina mirrors the mineral iron stains naturally found in the surrounding cliffs.

Passive Ventilation: By utilizing the canyon's natural microclimatic thermal drafts, cool air is drawn through low subterranean stone channels and exhausted through high roof dampers, maintaining pleasant ambient temperatures without mechanical cooling during mid-season operations.