Spread across a 17,000-square-meter location in Jeddah is the location of Saudi Arabia’s Hayy: Creative Hub, a one-of-a-kind creative space by the non-profit, Saudi-based foundation Art Jameel. Although still in development and set to officially open its doors in 2020, the space, which has been designed by the UAE and Japan-based architectural practice ibda design, is already receiving international recognition.
According to Saudi Gazette, Hayy was awarded major recognition in the autumn design awards this week, taking home multiple accolades including Gold in the Hong Kong Design Awards; Silver in the New York Design Awards; and the Honor Award for Exceptional Design by the American Institute of Architects (Middle East chapter). As stated by the jury of the AIA Middle East Awards, “the understated yet rationally beautiful and sustainably designed urban courtyard project is progressively radical in its cultural mixed-use programming.”
Fady Jameel
Speaking on Hayy’s recent clinching of three prestigious awards, Fady Jameel, chairman and founder of Art Jameel, said, “We are delighted to celebrate the international and prestigious awards received by ibda design for Hayy: Creative Hub, currently under construction in Jeddah. We look forward to launching this dynamic complex in 2020 for the Saudi community and the region at large. Art Jameel is growing as a collaborative model, working with partners locally in Saudi Arabia and across the world. Hayy: Creative Hub will bring together so many of our organization’s themes and objectives — across the arts, creative sector and entrepreneurship — and in line with Vision 2030.”
Hayy, which means neighborhood in Arabic, has been envisioned as a three-story, multi-disciplinary cultural complex dedicated to the arts, theatre, filmmaking, and more. ibda design was commissioned to design the hub, with the aim of creating a space that brings the Kingdom’s diverse cultural community together. Indeed, in an effort to diversify the country’s economy and open it up to the world, Saudi Arabia is focusing on a number of key areas in line with its national Vision 2030 strategy, one being the creation of more cultural activities.
