Back to public

Alturki Business Park & Plaza

Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia

The Alturki Business Park and plaza project
creates both a distinctive setting for the new
Alturki Group headquarters building and a
landmark public space for the city of Al Khobar.
The design balances the accommodation
of public use and the desire for the plaza to
serve as an outdoor extension of the building’s
public spaces for employees, clients
and visitors. The design creates an urban
“oasis”, civic in scale, but comfortable when
used by individuals as well as large groups.
The design incorporates a large shade structure
in a faceted circular form which provides
spatial definition, a buffer from the
surrounding roadways and a comfortable,
shaded promenade for walking and sitting.

Small fountains within the shade structure
provide the cooling sounds of water and help
to buffer traffic noise. Sculptural lighting
elements are integrated with the structure,
and, complemented by careful accent lighting
of the structure itself, create a dynamic
nighttime display. The shade structure encloses
the plaza “oasis” with its decorative
paving patterns, benches and planting beds.
A central water feature or sculptural element
provides the focal point of the plaza.
The landscape and plant materials will make
up a significant part of the plaza design, and
sustainable design practices are incorporated
to the maximum extent possible. Plants
that require low water use will be used in
the roadway edge landscape, which will provide
a contemporary, sculptural setting for
the building and plaza based on the local,
natural landscape character.

Client: Alturki Business Group

Collaboration: Tariq Hajj Architects