With a proposal rooted in the surrounding desert landscape, local cultural heritage, and Najdi building traditions, Snøhetta is designing the Royal Diriyah Opera House, located in the historic area of Diriyah in Saudi Arabia. Set to open in 2028, the project will create a new stage for future generations of performers, audiences and cultural exchange.
The 46,000 square meter opera house will accommodate around 3,500 people across four venues, including a 2000-seat theatre for large-scale productions and headline artists, two smaller theatres for multipurpose use, and a 450-seat, shaded rooftop amphitheater for outdoor performances.
The project is designed as a cluster of buildings interconnected by open passages throughout, which will provide shaded relief away from the intense sun with green gardens open to both visitors to the opera house and the wider public. Seamlessly integrating these public spaces enriches both the cultural and recreational experiences and enhances the intrinsic value of the location.
