Dortmund-Riyadh:
Gerber Architekten has been awarded the Royal Institute of British Architects(RIBA) Middle East Award 2025. The firm received the award in the Future Project category for the design of King Salman Park in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which is expected to be the world’s largest urban park landscape upon completion.
The RIBA Middle East Awards are presented by the Royal Institute of British Architects. They rank among the most prestigious international architecture prizes and honor projects that demonstrate outstanding architectural quality, innovation, and social relevance in the Middle East.
King Salman Park is a unique urban renewal project. The transformation of a former airport site in the heart of Riyadhis creating a green oasis. As a sustainable greening project, it contributes to climate improvement and biodiversity. Interdisciplinary research made it possible to fertilise desert soil, establish a sustainable water supply and select climate-resilient plants and trees. Covering 16.7 km², King Salman Park is home to a unique variety of plants and offers visitors a valuable nature and leisure experience. It redefines urban living and supports goals of Saudi Vision 2030 to create a vibrant, healthy environment in response to global climate challenges.
The King Salman Park project for landscape, masterplanning and detailed design was commissioned by the King Salman Park Foundation, to the joint venture of Gerber Architekten, Buro Happold, and Setec, under the leadership of Gerber Architekten, with Happold and Setec responsible for engineering.
Prof. Eckhard Gerber, Founder of Gerber Architekten: “King Salman Park sets new standards for urban landscapes that combine ecological innovation with social and cultural significance. We are proud that RIBA recognizes this project as a forward-looking contribution to sustainable urban development in the region.”
