The project presents a new model of ecological thinking. It lands on the ancient Tuwaiq cliffs, creating a vast shaded microclimate underneath, protecting people, animals, and plants from the sun and wind of the desert site. The building’s footprint is very small compared with its expansive structure above, creating vertiginous indoor/outdoor spaces and circulation flying far above the ground. Its radically open form, unlike the closed theater type of the 20th century, allows theater to spill out into the public realm.

The building’s megalithic slabs lean playfully on each other, like a scale model or a house of cards. They step down the cliffs, relating to the context in a surprising, raw way. Large black cuts connect the slabs together, creating moments of continuity across the discrete parts. Slabs and cuts together create an unfamiliar, alien silhouette against the sky.

The building’s form is mysterious and not immediately identifiable in terms of scale or origin. It might come from an ancient time or from the far future; its giant Chevron façade supercomponents appear out of sync with everyday forms of construction.

Qiddiya Performing Arts Centre exists as both a physical and a digital object, shifting in and out of relaxed daytime modes and dreamlike, glistening, technicolor modes. It is kind and happy, but also dark and full of wonder.