Steady progress is being made on a new 65,000sqm urban district in Riyadh, architecture firm Benoy has announced. Solitaire is being developed by Saudi-based Al Marqab Investment Company, with Benoy’s scope of work covering masterplanning, architecture, landscape design and interior design services.

According to a statement from Benoy, the design of the project encompasses two basements, ground floor and first floor retail spaces. Raft work has been completed and the casting of the first basement slab is set to begin. The firm said the project’s modern design allows for internal areas to be extended to the plot boundary and use of a fully developed boulevard plaza space.

“The 65,000sqm GLA scheme, which marks our largest on-site project in the Middle East region, will see us reinventing retail as a vibrant urban district promoting social engagement and creating a landmark destination. Our sustainable design strategy includes a series of wind towers aiming to create a comfortable outdoor environment by using passive cooling technology,” a spokesperson from Benoy explained.

He added that the project sees the firm breaking down the traditional form of a shopping mall and reinventing it as partially open-air retail streets, plazas and boutique streets alongside an elevated roof garden. He also said that the design vision is based on the crystalline forms of a geode, which inspired Benoy’s design and informed the building’s facades, internal finishes and landscape.

“The diverse programmatic mix is arranged across three levels to create interconnected spaces to engage its users and promote wellbeing. The high quality public realm is the soul of the Solitaire; enticing landscape, water bodies and respite areas are created for the comfort of visitors, to enhance their physical experience,” he concluded.