Tall & Urban News

In Riyadh, a Parisian-based design team is introducing Saudi Arabia's first co-living concept with a 20-story high-rise called The Village Tower, which will offer 200 rooms that blend private sanctuaries with vibrant communal spaces. CTBUH confirmed with Cutwork, the designers of the project, that it has been approved by local authorities and is moving forward to the next stages of design and construction development.

Facing King Salman Road, a major artery in Riyadh, the building developed by RAFAL Real Estate Co., is a modern approach to urban living balances of cultural heritage and contemporary design, fostering a cohesive, community-focused environment.  Antonin Yuji Maeno, Founder & Lead Architect of Cutwork stated, "We see co-living as the spark and beginning element to challenging the status quo of living." 

Important in the design concept were four main features. The first, bringing a typology of living that addresses different lifestyles and affordability to the region as it experiences rapid growth. Next, how does a design incorporate a village feeling into high-rise? Designed to encourage connection, the building has shared rooftops and a dynamic ground floor inspired by the shaded streetscapes of traditional desert cities.

With this focus, the design's purpose is to create a model and example for collective spaces, as well as properties that are not car-centric but people-centric. Lastly, it was important to reference vernacular architecture and how this can be expressed in a contemporary way. Rooted in Salmani architecture, the design incorporates light-permeable structures, traditional shuraf crownings, and shaded arcades to create communal spaces that enhance cultural continuity. These features not only ensure aesthetic appeal but also provide functional solutions to the region’s extreme climate, capturing the timeless essence of Salmani traditions in a modern urban setting.

The building's facade is designed to help mitigate noise and pollution, while opening towards the other side to create a tranquil, protected environment. Its design responds to urban regulations and weather challenges by carefully shaping the building’s volume and positioning circulation areas.

High-quality outdoor common spaces on the ground and upper levels further enhance the co-living experience, offering residents comfortable and inviting areas to connect and unwind. Creating new social imaginaries with the stratigically designed dwellings, involves pivoting spaces in homes that were once designated only for women, and making them central and open to the rest of the family. 

Learn more about this project at Cutwork.