DGDA Office, Riyadh

In 2020, Havelock One KSA was tasked to manage the DGDA – Diriyah Gate ‍Development Authority – Head Offices renovation in Riyadh, KSA. 

The Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGDA) was established in 2017 with a mandate to preserve and celebrate historic Diriyah and its NESCO World Heritage Site At-Turaif, the birthplace of the Kingdom. It is the home of the first Saudi capital and known for mud-brick structures in the Najdi architectural style. Honouring its rich history and architecture, DGDA will work to make Diriyah a vibrant economic destination that combines historical characteristics and cultural legacy with luxurious local and international brands. Similarly, the DGDA HQ reflects the old and the new, and thus, Havelock One was tasked to bring this melange of traditional and modern design elements to life across a space of more than 1,000 sqm.

One of the components that made this complete turn-key construction, which latest for 20 weeks in an occupied building, so special was the need to immerse oneself with the Najdi style. Designed by DGDA themselves and consulted by Faithful and Gould, ARCADIS and JASARA, our fit-out, hospitality manufacturing and joinery businesses worked hand in hand to create a majlis that does justice to the Najd heritage.

During workshops with DGDA, Havelock implemented the design through sketches and CAD drawings as the client was very involved and keen to reach an optimal balance between traditional coloring, craftsmanship and modern facility demands. From a manufacturing point of view and during the selection of wood and sample submissions, they derived to a final solution. The outcome was still representative of the “Al Sadu” (traditional weaving)/Najd style while feasible with a combination of cutting-edge tools, machinery and handmade artisan practices resulting in wood doors and panels of a maximal rustic look.

Another challenge were curfews and supply chain difficulties arising from the Covid-19 pandemic, which many Havelock One projects faced in the last year. However, given the superior project management, specified materials and products ordered from abroad were delivered on time, and so was the DGDA HQ project itself.