Clover Studio’s fabric-draped viewpoints in Saudi Arabia’s AlUla desert reinterpret ancient Bedouin traditions, merging heritage, sustainability, and storytelling within a UNESCO World Heritage setting.
Designed to evoke the nomadic Bedouin tents of the ancient Nabatean people, these lightweight, modular structures interpret the desert’s cultural and environmental identity through a contemporary lens. The trio of viewpoints emerges as part of the Royal Commission for AlUla's ambitious vision to transform this archaeological treasure into an open-air museum.
The design employs stretched canvas canopies over curved, timber-framed walls that harmonize with the desert’s bleached tones. Ballasts of local rock anchor the structures, eliminating the need for invasive foundations and ensuring the project’s ecological sensitivity. At their core, these spaces are narrative devices, inviting visitors into a dynamic choreography of compression and expansion. A spiraling tower at the largest viewpoint offers panoramic vistas, while crescent-shaped seating within curved enclosures frames more intimate landscapes, amplifying the drama of AlUla’s rugged terrain.
Practicality intertwines seamlessly with symbolism. The temporary nature of the structures reflects the transience of the nomadic Bedouins, while their weather-resistant canvas and locally sourced materials ensure durability in AlUla’s demanding climate. Exhibition boards printed on bare aluminum enrich the journey with archaeological and ecological insights, seamlessly tying the physical design to the site's storytelling ethos.
Clover Studio’s Hegra Viewpoints are more than just architectural interventions. They resonate as contemporary echoes of ancient ingenuity, bridging eras and narratives while preserving AlUla’s untamed spirit. These vantage points serve as both shelter and spectacle, allowing visitors to engage with the desert as an active participant in its unfolding history.
