Zaha Hadid Architects has started construction on the Asaan, Misk Heritage Museum in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia. The project represents the studio’s first adobe-built structure and reflects the cultural importance of the site. Located within the At-Turaif district, which received UNESCO World Heritage status in 2010, the museum takes its name from the Arabic word for “inheritance passed down through generations.” Asaan aims to preserve and share the rich legacy of Najdi architecture while engaging new generations through education and creativity.
Building with Local Materials and Knowledge
The design follows traditional Najdi architecture and uses clay mud-bricks produced locally. These thick adobe walls respond directly to Diriyah’s desert climate, reducing the need for artificial cooling through their high thermal mass. This construction method, deeply rooted in regional knowledge, allows the building to maintain comfort while limiting environmental impact. By prioritizing clay as its main material, the museum respects the architectural traditions of the old town and reinforces the connection between past and present.
Three Courtyards Define the Museum Plan
The museum organizes its functions around three shaded courtyards, drawing from the spatial logic of Najdi homes. These open-air zones separate the museum into three programmatic areas: Education, Arts, and Administration. Each courtyard offers natural protection from the sun while encouraging public gathering. Shading structures also enable a network of outdoor gardens, plazas, and rooftop pathways that further extend the museum experience.
Connecting Heritage to Contemporary Culture
Backed by the Misk Foundation, a nonprofit that invests in young people’s potential, the museum will combine exhibitions with hands-on workshops, conservation labs, and cultural events. These initiatives aim to promote local knowledge and craftsmanship while creating a space for innovation and cultural dialogue. The goal is not only to protect artifacts but to activate them, inviting the public into a dynamic relationship with the past.
A Key Element in the Diriyah Gate Masterplan
The Asaan Museum forms part of the wider Diriyah Gate development, a masterplan designed to transform Diriyah into a fully walkable city that centers sustainability and historical preservation. The project balances urban development with long-term goals around water conservation, climate adaptation, and public wellness. Asaan contributes to this vision by creating a place where cultural memory and environmental responsibility meet.
Voices from the Project
Khaled Al-Saqer, CEO of the Asaan, Misk Heritage Museum, emphasized the museum’s educational role: “Asaan’s role extends beyond preserving and displaying artifacts; it seeks to inspire meaningful engagement through immersive experiences that connect past, present, and future generations.” Jerry Inzerillo, Group CEO of Diriyah Company, added: “Asaan is a valuable addition to Diriyah’s portfolio of cultural projects and demonstrates our commitment to presenting the richness of Saudi heritage in a contemporary way that strengthens its global presence.”
Client: Diriyah Company
Architect: Zaha Hadid Architects
Design: Patrik Schumacher
ZHA Project Directors: Viviana Muscettola, Maurizio Meossi (Associate Director), Bidisha Sinha (Associate Director / Interior Design)
ZHA Project Associates: Cristina Capanna (Senior Architect / Project Manager); Architecture: Nannette Jackowski, Marco Amoroso; Interor Design: Roberta Sartori, Marco Pavoni, Marie Perrine Placais; BIM: Mark Winnington.
ZHA Project Team: Alessandra Laiso, Andy Lin, Angela Augelli Curci, Angus Tung, Aysu Aysoy, Caleb Baldwin, Chhavi Mehta, Chiara Baiocco, Didem Sahin, Elizabeta Diakantonis, Gaurav Janendra, Gizem Muhtaroğlu, Henry Louth, Ines Fontoura, Juliana Hernandez Cardona, Karan Puranik, Karmung Sze, Karoly Markos, Karthikeyan Arunachalam, Keerti Manney, Lam Nguyen, Lars Elseth, Leeanne Li, Li Jin, Liam Rogers, Louai Jaber, Luciana Maia Teodozio, Michael Rogers, Muaz Masri, Muriel Boselli, Nailu Chen, Nannette Jackowski, Neli Vasileva, Nivedita Ramachandran, Noa Guy, Nurul Ahmad Fauzi, Peter Safranka, Rabiyya Huseynova, Roberta Sartori, Ruggero Bruno Chialastri, Shantanu Bhatt, Sonia Renehan, Teodor Andonov, Tommaso Casucci, Tracy Shum, Valeria Perco, Yihoon Kim, Zachariah Hong.
Consultants
Local Architect: WMA / Inhabit
Structural Engineers: Inhabit
Quantity Surveyor: AECOM
General Contractor: El Seif
Cost Consultants: AECOM
Environmental Consultant: Inhabit
Façade Engineering: Inhabit
M&E Engineering: Inhabit
MEP: Inhabit
Fire Engineer:Egis / Inhabit
Landscape Consultant: DS Landscape
Lighting Design: Inhabit
Acoustic Consultant: Inhabit
Theatre Consultant: Theatre Projects
Project Management: AECOM
Restaurant Kitchen Consultant: Tricon
Water Features Specialist: Fountain Project
Conservation Areas Specialist: Samuel Anderson Architects
Accessibility: CAE
Signage / Wayfinding: SpaceAgency
Exhibition Deigner: Opera Amsterdam; Sustainability: Egis; Security: Inhabit; AV / IT: Inhabit;
Waste Management: Egis; Civil Engineer: Egis; People Movement: Systematica
